The following priority environmental health issues and strategies were identified by a local workgroup.Contact us to express your opinion. 888-310-0565 ext 106
Fillmore County
EH Priorities
|
Goal |
Strategies |
| Waste management infrastructure (e.g. illegal dumping) |
1. Increase the amount the communities recycle
2. Increase recycling in businesses
3. Increase public awareness of local waste cycle and reduction options
4. Increase public awareness of illegal dumping (cost to taxpayers)
5. Increase the number and types of clean-up events |
1. Coordinate with refuse companies providing recycling trailers to track the amounts for each of the communities
2. Initiate countywide competition for the most recycled in a given period
3. Utilize local media and community websites to provide data and additional info
4. Work with County Commissioners, Sheriff's office to document illegal dumping and clean-up costs, share with communities
Seek additional funding for clean-up efforts |
| Hazardous material storage (e.g. anhydrous ammonia) |
Move hazaroud materials to a safe distance from communities (allowing for emergency response needs) |
1. Increase awareness of locations among decision makers
2. Map existing sites in relation to communities and waterways
3. Explore potential zoning options
4. Address through Risk Management and Emergency Response Plan
5. Address through cost benefit from insurance savings |
| Built environment not conducive to healthy living (including dilapidated, junk properties) |
1. Train and educate community officials on codes, code enforcement, and development/rehab funds
2. Develop greater partnerships and community investment
3. Initiate an incentives program to facility owner responsibility |
1. Take advantage of potential Brownfields projects
2. Leverage Fillmore County Development Corporation, NDEQ, and State Fire Marshall's office
3. Have Hebron mayor present to Fillmore County communities on their incentives program |
| Water quality/Quantity |
Increase public awareness of water quality/quantity as a local issue |
1. Develop a 'water challenge' event to be done with school-aged students
2. Marketing campaign |
| Childhood exposure to toxics |
Improve public awareness and understanding of the importance of child exposure to environmental toxins |
1. Inform Fillmore County communities of the local risks for their children
2. Increase the number of children tested for lead
3. Work with landlords of rental properties to ID and correct potential hazards
4. Utilize more housing rehab funds |
| Loss of greenspace, wildlife habitat |
Increase the number of acres in the county that are not devoted to agricultural production (or built environment) |
1. Identify the current animal population sizes and acres for habitat
2. Work with groups like Pheasants Forever to increase #'s |
