The Environmental Services Department provides services for the protection of public health and the environment. These services include waste disposal, recycling, composting, hazardous waste treatment, and water testing. The Environmental Department, together with the Zoning Office, enforces regulations including septic systems, storm water management, Shoreland use, wetland conservation, and solid waste disposal.
The Zoning Office is responsible for regulating land use through administration and enforcement of the Dodge County Zoning Ordinance, Dodge County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance, and the Dodge County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The office is also responsible for feedlot assistance.
Zoning duties include, but are not limited to, receiving and reviewing land use applications, including Zoning Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Interim Use Permits, Variance requests, Amendment requests and Appeals. Staff also receive and review septic permits, perform soil verifications and inspections of new sewage treatment systems. In addition, zoning staff provide regulatory information and education on special areas such as floodplains, shorelands and wetlands. The office also investigates land use complaints and violations and pursues compliance with zoning regulations, septic regulations and permit conditions.
The Environmental and Zoning Offices have combined to provide customers a one stop location for services related to land use and the environment.
Production Tax:
The Minnesota Department of Revenue administers the Solar Energy Production Tax and Wind Energy Production Tax. The Energy Production Tax report is due January 15 annually. For detailed information about the energy production taxes, visit our webpages Solar Energy Production Tax and Wind Energy Production Tax.
NEWS UPDATES:
Dodge County was selected by the MPCA for $500,000 of grant funds through the Minnesota Environmental And Natural Resources Trust Fund to upgrade failing septic systems in order to protect groundwater. Click here to review the application for additional information and qualifications, or call 507-635-6272.
THE GREATER ZUMBRO RIVER WATERSHED STORYBOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!
Check out the Waste Wizard on the Garbage and Recycling Page!
Waste-to-Energy Service Fee Increase effective January 1, 2023. See Fact Sheet.
2023-2024 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE for Dodge County Transfer Station/Recycling Center
Dodge County is a Quarantined County for Emerald Ash Borer
To learn more, read the following: EAB News Release
Like us on Facebook and stay up to date with the Dodge County Environmental Services Department.
Have you tested your home for Radon? Free radon kits are available at Dodge County Environmental Services- 2nd floor of the Government Services Building.
Press Release for Radon Action Month : https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2022/radon010522.html
You can also get a low cost radon test kit for $12.95 if you go to mn.radon.com
Click on the links below for more information on the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment
Septic
Feedlots
To view Dodge County stories click below:
Septics - 2010- 2011- 2012 - 2013
Feedlots
Water Quality
2012 NRBG Reports - Feedlot LWM SSTS Shoreland WCA
2013 NRBG Reports - Feedlot LWM SSTS Shoreland WCA
2014 NRBG Reports - Feedlot LWM SSTS Shorelend WCA
2015 NRBG Reports - Feedlot LWM SSTS SSTS Incentive Shoreland WCA
2016 NRBG Reports - LWM SSTS SSTS Upgrade SSTS Incentive Shoreland WCA
2017 NRBG Reports - LWM SSTS SSTS Incentive SSTS Upgrade SSTS Upgrade #2 Shoreland WCA
"2017 Dodge County Water Monitoring Update" Powerpoint presentation.
GRANT FUNDING may be available for failing septic systems. See Grants & Loans page.
STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
PHONE: 507-635-6272 ZONING
507-635-6273 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
LAUREN CORNELIUS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR lauren.cornelius@dodgecountymn.gov
KEN PAULSON SOLID WASTE FACILITY MANAGER ken.paulson@dodgecountymn.gov
RITA COLE WASTE MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATOR rita.cole@dodgecountymn.gov
CATHERINE GRONDIN ZONING ADMINISTRATOR catherine.grondin@dodgecountymn.gov
ELIZABETH HARBAUGH SSTS PROGRAM MANAGER elizabeth.harbaugh@dodgecountymn.gov
MELISSA DEVETTER PROJECT MANAGER melissa.devetter@dodgecountymn.gov
JACKSON MILLER ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER jackson.miller@dodgecountymn.gov
SAMANTHA JOHNSON ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN samantha.johnson@dodgecountymn.gov