Purpose
The purpose of this training is to ensure that prior to commencing any work in St. Louis County Land & Minerals gravel pits, operators are informed and aware of Stormwater Prevention Plans, spill protocol and any areas of special concern that may apply to gravel activities on tax forfeited lands. A short test will follow this training session.
Guiding Policies
Land and Minerals Department has Guiding Policies. These are available on the St. Louis County website under Land and Minerals.
These policies commit the Land and Minerals Department to:
- Comply with all Laws and Regulations Land and Minerals Department ~ Gravel Contractor Pre-work Training
- Adhere to MNG490177-Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
- Adhered to the 2022 Sustainable Forestry Initiative requirements
- Continually Improve Performance
- Prevent Damage to the Environment
- Recognize and Respect Indigenous Peoples
Legal Requirements and Voluntary Guidelines
The Land and Minerals Department is committed to ensuring that all operations conducted on its lands comply with legal requirements and with Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines.
Forest Management Guidelines / Minnesota Forest Resources Council (mn.gov)
The guidelines were created through a multi-disciplined committee in 1995 and are periodically revised. Operators who conduct work activities on state tax forfeited land in St. Louis County shall be in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Every operator shall comply with all contract requirements and directions given from Land and Minerals Department personnel during the course of work on state tax forfeited lands.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) ~ Land and Minerals Department MNG490177
The goal of this permit is to reduce pollutant levels in the point source discharges and protect water quality in accordance with the U.S. Clean Water Act, Minnesota statutes and rules and federal laws and regulations. Practically, it means that no water shall leave the pit.
What is included in the SWPPP?
1. SWPPP Intent and Maintenance
• Application regulations and permits
2. Site Description
• Location, size, access, ownership
• Site drainage, receiving waters and buffer zones
• Pit Development and Reclamation
3. Site Activities and Potential Pollutant Sources
4. Best Management Practices
• Training, good housekeeping, spill response
• Filter berms, infiltration basins, etc.
• Responsible persons
5. Inspections, Maintenance and Recordkeeping
6. Monitoring
• Surface water runoff, dewatering
7. Reporting
St. Louis County Ordinance 62
Contractors shall comply with the laws of the State of Minnesota and any local rules, regulations and ordinances of St. Louis County, including Ordinance 62, section 6.22 which includes, but is not limited to:
- Hours of operation shall be limited to: a. 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
- No operations may take place on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Sundays.
- No extractive use shall be within the principal structure setback of a DNR protected water.
Periodic Inspections will check for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and adherence to the provisions and procedures in Land and Minerals Department contracts.
Responsible Operators List
To be eligible to bid on a Land and Minerals Department contract or operate on state tax forfeited lands, the operator must be in good standing on the Responsible Operator List. This applies to all timber harvest operations, road building, forest development projects and gravel operations.
A Responsible Operator Application Form, a Certificate of Compliance with Minnesota Worker's Compensation Law, and a Certificate of Liability Insurance must be on file with the Land and Minerals Department prior to commencement of any work.
This application will remain on file for ONE YEAR with the Land and Minerals Department. The application and this training MUST BE updated each year and the worker’s compensation, and liability insurance must be kept current to remain in good standing with the department.
An
application can be obtained at any Land and Minerals Department Office or from the St. Louis County Land and Minerals Website.
Return the completed application to:
Pike Lake Land and Minerals Dept
5713 Old Miller Trunk Hwy
Duluth, MN 55811
OR
Virginia Land and Minerals Dept
7820 MN-135
Virginia, MN 55792
Responsible Operators – Minimum Requirements
All operators must have the appropriate training, experience and certification to conduct the work activities that are the subject of a contract with the Land and Minerals Department. Qualifications of operators will be documented on the Responsible Operator Application Form.
Sub-Contractors
All sub-contractors MUST be on the Land and Minerals Department Responsible Operator List.
Suppliers
Suppliers and truckers who deliver product to you or provide services to you on a state tax forfeited work site must be under your supervision while conducting any activities on the worksite. You are responsible for ensuring that their activities do not conflict with Land and Minerals Department requirements and for providing direction in the event of any emergency.
Items Required On-Site
- All applicable PERMITS
- Haul records
- Map of work site-provided by Land & Minerals
- Spill Kit
- Green placard with contract number clearly marked
Reporting Spills
Please ensure that everyone in your organization that works on state tax forfeited lands understands which spills are reportable.
Reportable spills are:
• 5 gallons or more of any petroleum product to ground
• ANY quantity of chemical or petroleum product to water
How do you know whether you have spilled 5 gallons?
• Check the capacity of the container, reservoir or tank, from which the product spilled, and assess what if anything is left in the container.
If the quantity of material lost from the container is close to 5 gallons, report it.
• Examine the size of the area contaminated by the spill. As a rule of thumb, if it is more than an area of 5 feet by 5 feet, you most likely
have spilled 5 gallons and you must report it.
For chemicals other than petroleum products, the reportable quantity should be listed on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). If the SDS does not show the reportable quantity or if you do not know the reportable quantity, report the spill. Minnesota Duty Officer – 1-800-422-0798
STARR
Secure – Telephone – Abate – Recover - Remediate
IF YOU HAVE A REPORTABLE SPILL, FOLLOW THE STARR STEPS:
SECURE the site. The priority is safety.
TELEPHONE a report of incident. You have a legal obligation to immediately report all chemical spills no matter how small.
ABATE the spill. Take actions such as plugging a leaking container, placing absorbent materials or diking a spill area can and minimize health and safety risks, property damage or environmental damage.
RECOVER spilled product. Recover spilled material as quickly as possible by pumping up free liquid, sweeping up absorbent and dry material and place into suitable containers. Spills that soak into the ground may require excavation.
REMEDIATE Contaminated media (soil, absorbent, water, sediment, debris, or other contaminated material) are to be stockpiled until thin spreading or landfilling is approved.
Gravel LEASE Contracts and PERMITS must provide secondary containment and spill prevention during on-site fueling by using drip pans at connection points. An operator must be present and observing the operation at all times when fuel is transferred. Operator will be prepared to stop the fuel transfer operation and quickly initiate spill recovery if a release occurs. Gravel Operations must have a spill kit on site at all times during operations. Operations include any work involving heavy, non-vehicular equipment.
The recommended contents of a spill kit are:
- Emergency phone numbers
- Absorbent pads, snakes and booms
- Trash bags
- Loose absorbent
- Plastic gloves
- Plugs and puncture repair putty
When in doubt, STARR
Secure – Telephone – Abate – Recover - Remediate
Call Minnesota Duty Officer – 1-800-422-0798
Fuel Management, Lubricants and Other Chemicals
The Land and Minerals Department is committed to ensuring that fuel management and the management of chemicals on its lands complies with legal requirements. The legal requirements that apply to fuel and chemical tanks and transportation of said tanks are the MN Department of Transportation Requirements (MN DOT).
- Review locations for equipment fueling and lubricant activities with Contract Administrator
- Locate fueling, maintenance activities, storage areas away from open water bodies
- Check site map and talk to Contract Administrator to ensure fueling, loading, storage areas are away from areas considered low on the landscape
- If in doubt, contact the Contract Administrator.
Field Pre-Work Session
The Land and Minerals Department Contract Administrator may conduct a field pre-work session PRIOR to the commencement of work. This session may include discussing the project contract, contract provisions, permits, and map(s) with the site operator and any sub-contractors working on the site. It is the responsibility of the site operator or contract owner to ensure any employees or sub-contractors are aware of the project contract, contract provisions, permits, and map(s).
Haul Records
Completed and signed HAUL RECORDS (Exhibit A), GATE KEYS (if issued), and any overrun payment required must be returned immediately upon permit expiration. Failure to do so will result in no additional permits being issued to the holder of the expired permit.
Maps
Maps are provided with each permit. These maps highlight important features of the pit and outline pit operational expectations. Make sure to review these maps in detail and ask any questions prior to working in the pit.
The ability to operate in Land & Minerals pits is a privilege and failure to follow the contract and the pit plan will result in the revocation of the privilege. If any questions or concerns arise while on site, please contact your Contract Administrator immediately.