On August 15, FMR staff submitted comments to Judge Palmer-Denig in support of approving and improving the state’s proposed Groundwater Protection Rule. >>
Legislative Updates
FMR is proud to be the voice for the Mississippi River at the Minnesota State Capitol.
For an overview of our goals, see the "Legislative Priorities" panel. As each important river-related bill or program progresses, we'll be sure to post updates below.
Blog updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Twitter) and in FMR's Mississippi Messages newsletter.
Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when we need your help the most, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.
August 7, 2018
What happens when you add climate change to aging water infrastructure? Sewage goes where it shouldn't. Learn more from this MPR article by Kirsti Marohn with FMR Water Program Director Trevor Russell.
July 17, 2018
At best, “perfect” nutrient management on all of Minnesota’s cropland would reduce nitrate pollution by about 10-15 percent, falling far short of the state’s 45 percent reduction goals to protect our groundwater. >>
June 25, 2018
"They're starting earlier, they're lasting longer, and their peaks seem to be getting bigger." >>
June 20, 2018
Heavy rains and flash flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin have been making headlines. But what is a "100-year" or even a "1,000-year" storm? >>
June 12, 2018
A new state rule aimed at reducing groundwater contamination by farm fertilizers could be delayed by a legislative move made formal on Monday, June 11. But Gov. Mark Dayton is calling the move unconstitutional and has instructed the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to proceed as planned.
At this time, public hearings about the new and much-needed water protection rule are still on the calendar, including one in Farmington, Monday, July 16. Expect a River Guardians Action Alert this July as well. >>
June 5, 2018
The 2018 Minnesota legislative session resulted in very good news for a 48-acre riverfront site in North Minneapolis known as the Upper Harbor Terminal. An influx of $15 million state dollars will help kickstart its redevelopment into housing, offices, stores, restaurants, an amphitheater, parks and trails. >>
June 4, 2018
While many of the most troubling bills and provisions were eventually defeated this Minnesota legislative session, a mixed bag of stand-alone items were passed and signed into law. ...And, oh yeah, the Legislature unnecessarily raided $98 million from the state’s voter-approved Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund.. >>
May 31, 2018
Gov. Dayton has signed the Legislature's 2018 bonding bill.
The governor used a line-item veto to remove one controversial provision but (reluctantly) approved the rest of the bill — including an unprecedented $98 million raid of the state’s Environmental Trust Fund.
Here’s a summary of what got funded, what got line-item vetoed and what got raided. >>