Help us stop 10 bad water bills at the MN Legislature
Ten bad water bills have been introduced this legislative session that are going to the House and Senate for passage. These bills undermine basic environmental science, roll back existing protections or block public participation in environmental decisions.
Chloride reduction bill: Alive and kicking
As we noted in the State of the River Report, chloride or salt pollution is a growing problem for Minnesota's waters. This session, FMR and our allies have been advancing a bill in the Minnesota Legislature to reduce it.
We're happy to report that the bill has garnered bipartisan support. However, it will most likely be wrapped into the House and Senate omnibus bills, making its fate murky at best. >>
Respect public input — No fast-tracking Enbridge Line 3
In one of the more controversial moves of the legislative session, a key House committee is considering a bill granting immediate approval of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 project. >>
Budget Forecast means $22 million repaid to state’s Clean Water Fund
The forecast shows a projected budget surplus of $329 million for the 2018-19 biennium. As a result, $22 million will be repaid to the Clean Water Fund to hlep protect our state's waters.
Our 2018 legislative priorities
Minnesotans from across the state gathered in the Capitol rotunda to support clean water during the 2017 Water Action Day.
Budget uncertainty, election-year politics and a sometimes-heated debate on environment and conservation issues should make for a fascinating legislative session. Here are our priorities for the 2018 session, which kicks off Tuesday, February 20.
Forum reveals where leading gubernatorial candidates stand on environmental issues
Joining in from 10 different locations across the state, about 3,000 Minnesotans participated in the Our New Environment Forum with six leading gubernatorial candidates. Check out the video to see where each stands on the environmental and conservation issues important to you! >>
Test for contaminated drinking water? Brown County says ‘no’
Bowing to pressure from ag groups, the Brown County Board of Commissioners in south-central Minnesota recently declined a free state program offering free private well testing for drinking water contamination. >>
It’s time to put our waters on a low-salt diet
We use salt to manage snow and ice in Minnesota, but too much can irreparably harm our lakes and streams. It's time for Minnesota to go on a low-salt diet. (Photo Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.)
Just 1 teaspoon of salt is enough to permanently pollute 5 gallons of water. Chloride pollution to Minnesota’s waters has made headlines recently, and it's time for new strategies to protect our water. Learn how you can help, both long-term and this winter as you shovel (or sweep!) your walk. >>
Neighboring suburbs helped dry up White Bear Lake
As reported by the Star Tribune, new state agency findings are helping us understand the relationship between unsustainable groundwater use and White Bear Lake, one of many lakes known for "shrinking" in Minnesota.
Combined with a recent related ruling, we hope the new report will push us towards real progress to protect the Land of 10,000 Lakes' vital water resources. >>
State studies confirm: 40 percent of MN lakes and rivers are polluted
The Lake Pepin-Mississippi watershed is among many that feel to meet water quality standards. (Photo courtesy of the MPCA)
In the land of 10,000 lakes, about 40 percent of Minnesota’s waters fail to meet basic health standards according to a pair of new state water quality reports — with our namesake river, the Minnesota, among the most polluted. >>