Updates and Articles

Is it time to remove dams from the Mississippi river gorge?

Dam removal discussions are ramping up in the Twin Cities, and for good reason. Just as the Army Corps of Engineers embarks on a study to determine future ownership and operation of the locks and dams in Minneapolis and St. Paul, our local Mississippi river gorge was named to the 2018 list of American Rivers "10 Most Endangered Rivers."

Learn more, including FMR's position and recent media coverage. >>

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Ford Dam below the Ford Bridge in St. Paul
Save River Heights Park... again.

Just eight months ago, FMR teamed up with neighbors to help save River Heights Park in Inver Grove Heights.

Now the park is on the chopping block once again. And the neighbors and FMR are back in action. >>

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A picture of River Heights Park
Where we work: Map of FMR conservation sites

Although our policy and advocacy work tends to make the most headlines, many FMR supporters, members and volunteers highly value the natural areas we protect, restore and enhance throughout the metro area.  But even the longest-standing FMR members and volunteers wonder where, exactly, we work.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way for folks to see all of FMR’s 37 active restoration sites in one place? Perhaps some kind of…map? >>

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'Zombie' 16-year water pollution holiday bill is back from the dead in #MNLeg

What do you do when administrative law judges strike down your Legislative provision as a violation of the Clean Water Act? Revive it, of course — and expand it. Welcome to the bad bill that just won't die. >>

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#MNLeg advances bill to grant itself approval over agency permit fees

Our Legislature is considering eliminating the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's ability to increase permit fees, potentially pushing the costs of monitoring and regulating water pollution onto taxpayers. >>

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Bills nullifying wild rice protection advance at #MNLeg

The Minnesota House and Senate are quickly advancing bills to eliminate water quality standards that protect wild rice – Minnesota’s state grain. >>

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Welcome, Ray and Sophie!

Spring is here and two new people have joined the FMR team to help us protect, restore and enhance the metro Mississippi River. Meet our new administrative assistant Ray Prince and seasonal outreach assistant Sophie Downey. >>

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Raynette Prince and Sophie Downey stand before a large photo of the Mighty Mississippi.
'Blasting Minnesota DNR, judge stands by her White Bear Lake ruling'

As reported by Josephine Marcotty in the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' request to stay a groundbreaking court order restricting heavy water use around White Bear Lake has been roundly rejected. 

The judge, Ramsey County Judge Margaret Marrinan, harshly criticized the agency for what she called a “stunning” history of failing to comply with state laws designed to protect the environment.

Now, however, the Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill to essentially override the judge's ruling. >>

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The top 4 environmental rollbacks in this year's Chamber of Commerce bill

It wouldn’t be a legislative session without a bill from our friends at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to roll back basic environmental protections. Here's the worst of this year's edition. >>

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The bizarre case of the $2 million MESERB bill

Every so often, a bill starts moving at the Capitol that defies rational explanation. One such bill this year aims to give $2 million in state taxpayer funds to regulated parties to allow them to provide “oversight” of their own state regulators. Welcome to the MESERB bill. Fox…meet hen house. >>

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