Governor Walz releases ambitious $300M water infrastructure proposal
Gov. Walz has proposed investing $300 million in much-needed water infrastructure through the state’s 2020 bonding bill. Find out what's in the governor's proposal. >>
FMR Water Program 2019 highlights
From pushing through a snowstorm to lobby our legislators to expanding our programs to address a major threat to the health of our river, agricultural pollution, FMR staff, members and River Guardians have a lot to be proud of from 2019! >>
Projected $1.3B state surplus could be good news for clean water
In a delightful bit of news, the State of Minnesota’s December 2019 budget forecast estimates a $1.3 billion preliminary budget surplus for 2020.
While sure to ignite debates regarding both new investments and planned tax cuts during the 2020 Legislative session, this could bode well for much-needed clean water funding. >>
More than half of Minnesota’s waters don’t meet water quality standards
Every two years, the state publishes a list of “impaired” waters that do not meet water quality standards. This year’s list shows that 56% of Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams fail to meet standards. >>
PBS: 'How a new grain could help combat climate change' (Video)
PBS News Hour recently turned their attention to Minnesota’s efforts to develop Kernza – a perennial wheat that may be key to fixing our lagging soil and river health ... and makes really good pancakes. >>
Strommen says 'no' to shipping Dakota County groundwater to Colorado
The alarming prospect of a for-profit company mining our groundwater for sale out of state is deeply troubling and could leave public and private wells high and dry here at home. We're grateful for the leadership of Sarah Strommen, the head of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and former FMR board member, in derailing this proposal. >>
Water Gremlin: How lead sinkers harm people too
The state’s sudden closure of the troubled Water Gremlin facility (known for producing lead fishing sinkers and battery terminals) casts new light on a little-discussed risk of lead products: “take-home lead.” >>
Lead shot takes the spotlight as FMR petitions state
As fall hunting season arrives, lead shot and tackle is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Why? Because lead rounds can kill twice. >>
Star Tribune highlights link between pheasant decline and farming
How we farm impacts the Mississippi River — and bird populations. We can help them both. >>
The end of ethanol: Future-proofing Minnesota’s cropland
The electric vehicle transition will happen, and it has huge implications for American farms (not to mention opportunities for water quality). In the electrified world of 2050, demand for corn ethanol will have plummeted, and the agricultural economy will be nothing like the one you know today. If we invest in innovative clean-water crops now, we can improve the long-term outlook for our state’s rural economic prosperity and for our river. >>