FMR's river corridor work: Celebrate 2019, join us in 2020
All along our great river — from the Upper Harbor Terminal in Minneapolis to Lilydale's river bluffs and beyond — you helped FMR's river corridor program secure equitable river access and important environmental protections. Read about some of our 2019 accomplishments and sign up to join us in 2020. >>
Thank you, River Guardians!
Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >
What's it like to walk to the river in North Minneapolis?
What's it like to walk to the river in Minneapolis? "Inspiring," "harsh" and "beautiful" were all words that neighbors used as we laced up our walking shoes and headed to the river on a warm fall evening. Check out the photos and step-by-step videos to experience what it's like to walk from the North Minneapolis residential area over Dowling and the interstate to Upper Harbor Terminal and the river! >>
MN's groundbreaking Groundwater Protection Rule goes into effect
After decades of delay, Minnesota’s Groundwater Protection Rule aims to protect public health by addressing fertilizer contamination in groundwater. This is the first time our state has exercised its regulatory authority over cropland agriculture to protect water quality. >>
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. >>
FMR’s comments on the proposed Groundwater Protection Rule
On August 15, FMR staff submitted comments to Judge Palmer-Denig in support of approving and improving the state’s proposed Groundwater Protection Rule. >>
Proposed MN nitrate rule fails to protect drinking water
Annual crops planted in rows, like corn and soybeans, are treated with nitrate fertilizers that are increasingly ending up in Minnesotan's drinking water. (Photo by Weekly Grist, Joe Dempsey.)
We can all agree that clean, safe drinking water should be accessible and affordable for everyone regardless of geography or income. Sadly, that’s not the case for many Minnesotans.
Nitrate used in cropland fertilizer is a leading source of drinking water contamination in Minnesota. Although essential for plant growth and health, excess nitrate harms aquatic life and human health and drives the formation of the “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. It's also extremely costly to Greater Minnesota communities.
That’s why FMR is working with our conservation allies to strengthen a new Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule – one of the few places in state law where regulators can require row-crop farming operations, the biggest source of nitrates, to reduce pollution to our waters. >>