Forever Green

House and senate introduce full funding for Forever Green

by Trevor Russell

update

February 12, 2019

To get to our clean water goals in Minnesota, we need to plant more perennial and cover crops. But these crops need to be profitable before farm operations can effectively make the change. To address this challenge, two bills were introduced in mid-February in the house and senate that will fully fund the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative. >>

Join us for MN Water Action Day • April 10, 2019

update

January 28, 2019

Join us for Water Action Day 2019, a day of public action and advocacy to let lawmakers know we care about our water! #ProtectOurWater >>

Our 2019 legislative priorities

by Trevor Russell

update

January 3, 2019

Kicking off the return of our annual Legislative Blog, here's a summary of FMR's top three legislative priorities this session: Forever Green, Working Lands and fixing the Environmental Trust Fund raid. >>

FMR advocates call on MN to protect our drinking water!

by Trevor Russell

update

August 16, 2018

Hat’s off to FMR’s advocates! On August 15, FMR staff hand-delivered 226 comments from River Guardians and other advocates calling on the state to both implement and improve a new state rule to protect our groundwater. >>

FMR’s comments on the proposed Groundwater Protection Rule

by Trevor Russell

update

August 16, 2018

On August 15, FMR staff submitted comments to Judge Palmer-Denig in support of approving and improving the state’s proposed Groundwater Protection Rule. >>

Why we need the Groundwater Protection Rule

article

August 1, 2018

Minnesota's 1989 Groundwater Protection Act directs the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to prevent groundwater pollution from cropland. To solve this problem, the agency is now proposing new rules to address nitrate contamination in public and private wells. Overall, these rules are needed and reasonable. But there are several flaws that need to be addressed to keep Minnesotans safe and healthy. Read more

Legislators delay MN groundwater protection, Dayton says 'no'

by Trevor Russell

update

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. >>