In recognition of Earth Day this week, USDA Rural Development is announcing a $1.3 million grant to improve the Turtle Mountain Solid Waste Management Program and to expand access to their recycling program.
“Doing a better job of handling the things we throw away in our daily lives can have a positive effect on the environment and where we live,” said Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development state director. “This grant will go a long way in improving opportunities for recycling, employee conditions at the transfer site, and the health and sanitation of the Turtle Mountain Reservation.”
The grant will be used to build a 5,000-square-foot building for equipment maintenance and storage near the solid waste transfer station. The facility will include working plumbing with a wash-down area for employees, which they currently do not have. On average, 40 – 120 vehicles daily visit the waste site, but due to poor driveway conditions it is often difficult for the public to access. Thus, a 20,000-square-foot area will be paved between the new storage building and waste station.
To increase opportunities for recycling on the reservation, funding will also be used to purchase equipment such as: a recycling operations truck, recycling roll-offs and trailer, a skid steer, recycling bailers and a waste handler front end loader.
Through the Waste Disposal Program, USDA Rural Development will provide a $1,378,000 grant along with a $670,000 grant from Indian Health Service to complete all the improvements projects. Since 2009, Rural Development has invested $110 million to provide clean drinking water, safe sanitation and adequate water services across North Dakota. To learn more about USDA programs, please call (701) 530-2037 or visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd.