Mark Gamm had early interest in Environmental Services

Dodge County Environmental Services Director Mark Gamm grew up in Park Rapids, about 3-1/2 hours from Minneapolis.

While in school he was involved with football, basketball, golf and band at the Park Rapids High School. Since his mother was the church choir director he, as well as his two brothers and two sisters, were part of the church choir. Mark graduated from Mankato State University in 1981in Environmental Services. At that time it was a fairly small group of people that were in this program as compared to now.

Mark worked for the Department of Natural Resources for two years and then five years for Northern States Power, now Xcel Energy. He would work with ash disposal, air quality, transmission line permitting and fish studies of impact of water discharged from their power plants. Mark said his favorite job there was electroshocking fish in the Mississippi. After measuring the fish, he said, they were returned to the river and not the frying pan once they recovered. He gained a new respect for carp, he said, as they were the first fish to recover.

The Gamm’s moved to Kasson in December 1988 when Mark filled a position Dodge County needed to manage the Landfill and Transfer Station and to carry out new water protection statutes. Mark said that now the Environmental Services Department provides a full range of solid waste disposal and recycling services.

In the mid 1990’s, Dodge County started regulating construction and replacement of septic systems. In the early 2000’s, his department took on the role of land use management and zoning.

Residents environmentally conscious

Mark said when Randy Carlsen, the former owner and editor of the DCI, would ask him at times “how is the environment today, Mark,” most of the time he would respond “it’s better than yesterday.”

He says the residents of Dodge County are environmentally conscious and are making changes in the way they live and work. He estimated that perhaps 80% of the residents recycle a portion of their waste and approximately 30% of all waste is recycled. The left over garbage is used to generate steam and electricity at the Olmsted Waste-To-Energy facility in Rochester so it still gets used for a good purpose.

Citizen volunteers have collected water samples for many years to track water quality trends. He mentioned that with the exception of contaminants found in sensitive aquifers, the drinking water is clean. County rivers, wetlands and aquifers are being protected both by volunteer efforts and regulations. Farmers are implementing water protection practices including use of cover crops that help reduce soil erosion and nitrate leaching, he said.

Growth brings opportunities, challenges

Dodge County’s population is growing which brings new opportunities but also challenges. Mark’s department helps guide orderly growth though planning and regulations.  

The county just updated its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This plan reaffirms the citizens desire to keep the county’s rural values and character but also to move ahead for diverse housing choices (affordable housing) is a regular concern on the news), good roads and have more recreation opportunities for residents. A primary function of the department is issuing permits for construction, zoning, septic systems and wetlands.

At the county transfer station, the Self-Serve Waste Depot, was built just a couple of years ago (it might be the only one like this in Minnesota) and now is used by over 200 residents and is open 24 hours each day. The cost of the service is $17.50 for five of these special green bags that can be purchased for using this facility.

The transfer station is normally open Monday: 8 – 6 p.m.; Tuesday – Friday: 8 – 3 p.m. and Saturday: 8 – noon except with the exception of certain scheduled holidays. The station also accepts construction and demolition debris, brush and leaves, clean wood, fluorescent lamps, appliances, used oil and filters, tires, antifreeze and electronic waste plus oil and latex paints during their regular business hours.

The Environmental Services Department has 12 employees including five at the Transfer Station. When the COVID issue first hit last year and many businesses were closed and people started working from home due to the lock down, they saw an increase in the amount of garbage collected in comparison to normal times.

Family active in local activities

Mark and Joni met in Minneapolis and were married in 1984. Their children, Aaron and Kayley, are KM graduates and were involved in various school activities so the Gamm’s attended many school events at that time. Their son lives in Rochester and their daughter in St. Paul. Joni works at Liquid Cooled Solutions in Rochester that handles efficient cooling technology with electronic equipment.

Mark said he does like to fish and said there is a good small-mouth bass fishery on the Zumbro. He will also do some canoeing on the Zumbro when the river is at a decent water flow. He likes to watch various sports events and used to play softball and golf more than he does now. He mentioned that Joni is much more of a reader than he is.

They have been involved at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kasson and Mark has served as the church president. The Gamm’s enjoy doing some traveling when possible and have made various trips through the years including several Midwest locations to see the sites.

Mark has seen a lot of change since they arrived 30 years ago in Dodge County. He says that he did not know he would stay this long but fell in love with the people in the area; the good schools, and communities.  In addition, he says, the County workplace is filled with professional people and good leadership, which has made his job of Environmental Services Director very gratifying.