Watershed Protection

Did you know the American Rescue Plan specifies that relief funds can be used for water infrastructure? FMR and our allies recently asked Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan to use a portion of Minnesota's ~$2.6 billion in state relief to improve drinking water and water quality statewide through lead service line replacement and other measures.  >>

The Clean Water Fund is designated to protect, enhance and restore water quality in lakes, rivers and streams, as well as protect groundwater. Both the Minnesota Senate and House have authored spending proposals, but they're very different, leaving the fate of our legislative priorities — like clean-water crop funding and lead service line replacement — uncertain.  >>

PFAS — so-called "forever chemicals" — have been found across the state. Here's what you need to know.  >>

Storing greenhouse gases in cropland soils is all the rage these days, as Fortune 500 companies, conservation initiatives and even the Biden administration seek to reward farmers for sequestering carbon beneath our feet. But how sound is this approach? We pulled together some of the latest news about no-till farming, cover crops and how effectively these practices sequester carbon.  >>

Back in 2019, the Trump administration adopted new regulations that significantly undermine how our nation's public water supplies are protected. Now, an independent review has found that the federal government's decision-making process was fundamentally flawed. Will the Biden administration reverse the rollbacks?  >>

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? And what happens when you flush your toilet? We've plumbed the depths for the best podcasts and articles that can answer all your questions on public water systems in the Twin Cities.  >>

In the first of a two-part series, we’ll look at the results of the state’s recent nutrient reduction report card. The results are ... not good.  >>

A recent story from Minnesota Public Radio shines a light on some unexpected (and unnerving) new findings. Even in Minnesota’s relatively remote and pristine lakes, researchers are finding human-made contaminants of concern.  >>