Watershed Protection

House bill aims to replace the Legacy Amendment

by Trevor Russell

update

February 9, 2017

A bill introduced by Republican Rep. Steve Green (Fosston) would require the state to conduct a new referendum to replace the Legacy Amendment with funds for a narrow list of highway and bridge projects and bar Clean Water Fund spending on most clean-up and restoration projects.

Survey: What would you like to be called?

by Alicia Uzarek

article

February 3, 2017

FMR is shoring up our advocacy program. In addition to offering opportunities to sign petitions, write letters and speak up at meetings, we're coordinating fun and educational happy hours, training sessions and networking events. We're also amping up our communications to better support our growing community of river advocates. Help name our improved advocacy program and sign up to join us! Read more

Bill seeks to strip MPCA and DNR rulemaking authority and sunset all existing rules

by Leili Fatehi

update

February 2, 2017

Under H.F. 551, the MPCA and DNR would no longer have any rulemaking authority and all their existing rules would expire by 2022 unless the Minnesota legislature chose to enact them. The bill likely precedes others that will seek to give the legislature veto power over agency rulemaking, a move that will deny the public a voice in regulatory decisions.

Opponents of Minnesota's buffer law claim it's an unconstitutional taking. It's not.

by Leili Fatehi

update

January 20, 2017

Legislators and testifiers opposed to Minnesota's buffer law continue to claim that the law is unconstitutional because it constitutes a government taking of private property without just compensation to the property owner. These claims are incorrect and misleading. The law would only be unconstitutional if it denied property owners every and all reasonable use of their land.

Our 2017 legislative priorities

by Trevor Russell

update

January 10, 2017

Water issues will once again be a hot topic during this year's legislative session. While Gov. Mark Dayton has made water a priority, House and Senate majority parties have signaled intentions to roll back policies and funding essential to protecting Minnesota’s rivers, lakes and streams.

Without a doubt, defending against these rollbacks and securing much-needed funding for critical water infrastructure will be our top priorities during the 2017 legislative session.

Governor’s 2017 bonding proposal: $270 million for clean water & habitat

by Trevor Russell

update

January 10, 2017

On January 4th, Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith announced their 2017 bonding proposal. Dubbed the “Jobs Bill,” the proposed $1.5 billion package includes much-needed investments in the Minnesota’s water resources, including drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for communities across the state. Here are some of FMR's top bonding or funding priorities.

New fuel standards could help river

by Trevor Russell

article

December 16, 2016

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency updated the nation’s renewable fuel requirements. While we were disappointed to see an increase in traditional corn-based ethanol, we’re pleased to see a raise in production goals for cellulosic biofuel in 2017.

This creates a powerful market incentive for farmers to grow perennial crops, supporting FMR’s work towards market-based solutions to reduce agricultural water pollution.