Legislative Updates

FMR is proud to be a leading voice in protecting the Mississippi River and all the people and wildlife who depend on it. 

Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when the river needs your help, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.

Legislative Updates
Why we initiated a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota

This week, FMR joined eight other conservation organizations in initiating a lawsuit against the state. It’s an unusual move for FMR, but an important one. Here’s why.  >>

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FMR advocates call on MN to protect our drinking water!

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. >>

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Legislators delay MN groundwater protection, Dayton says 'no'

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. >> 

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State approves $15 million for big N Mpls. river project

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. >>

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How our environment and the Mississippi River fared this legislative session

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.. >>

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What got funded in the final bonding bill

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. >>

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, Hastings
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis
New date: Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul