Winter Parking Lot & Sidewalk Maintenance

How do I find a certified contractor?
If you hire out snow removal on your property, choose a contractor who is certified by the state in Snow and Ice Control Best Practices or encourage them to become certified.

Individuals Certified in Snow & Ice Control (Excel Spreadsheet)
Individuals Certified in Snow & Ice Control (PDF)

Certified practitioners may also be found on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's website, http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/about-mpca/mpca-events-and-training/road-salt-education-program.html. Once on the website, click on "List of Individuals Who Have Been Certified" to view an Excel spreadsheet of certified individuals.

Why should I hire a certified contractor?
Many local lakes and streams have elevated levels of chloride, a common ingredient in road salt. In some cases, the chloride contamination is high enough to impact or even kill fish and other aquatic life. Winter snow and ice practices have been identified as the primary source of this chloride. Certified contractors have taken a training on how to mitigate the effects of de-icing materials on the environment, without compromising safety or effectiveness.

Training Video
Winter Maintenance Training for Small Sites*
This 20 minute video will introduce you to best practices for maintaining small spaces (sidewalks, entryways, steps, etc) in the winter, including deicer material selection and application rates.
(*This link will take you to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Website where the video "Winter Maintenance Training for Small Sites" can be viewed.)

Summer Turf Maintenance

How do I find a certified contractor?
If you hire a lawn service, choose a contractor who is certified by the state in Summer Turf Care Best Practices or encourage them to become certified.

Individuals Certified in Summer Turf Care (PDF)

Certified practitioners may also be found on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's website, http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/about-mpca/mpca-events-and-training/summer-turf-grass-maintenance-program.html. Once on the website, click on "Summer Maintenance List of Individuals Certified" to view a PDF spreadsheet of certified individuals.

Why should I hire a certified contractor?
Proper turfgrass maintenance is vitally important to the health of lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater in Minnesota. The largest impacts on our water resources from turfgrass care come from nutrient (fertilizer) and herbicide inputs to our water and the use of freshwater for irrigation. Certified contractors have taken a training on how to reduce the impacts of turf care on the environment through implementing best management practices for lawn/turf care.

Voluntary certification in Summer Turf Care Best Practices from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is given to individuals who:
1. Attended Voluntary Training
2. Complete and Pass the Associated Test
3. Agree to Voluntarily Apply Best Management Practices