Watershed Protection

2021 Gulf of Mexico dead zone far bigger than expected

by Peter LaFontaine

update

August 4, 2021

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is three times bigger than it "should" be. Here's what you can do to help restore balance to the Gulf and the Mississippi River. >>

Water crisis in Des Moines: Why does a river city need wells?

by Peter LaFontaine

update

July 12, 2021

Des Moines has ample surface water from its two rivers, but contamination from upstream runoff has forced officials to start pivoting to a drastic new plan: drilling $30 million worth of wells. >>

How the American Rescue Plan could protect your water

by Trevor Russell

update

April 19, 2021

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. >>

Competing Clean Water Fund bills move forward in Legislature

by Trevor Russell

update

April 13, 2021

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. >>

Minnesota landfills are leaching 'forever chemicals'

by Peter LaFontaine

update

March 22, 2021

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

Research roundup: Is cropland ag carbon sequestration as effective as we want it to be?

by Trevor Russell

update

February 9, 2021

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. >>

Saving the baby AND the bathwater: New hope for a sensible Clean Water Rule

by Peter LaFontaine

update

January 11, 2021

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? >>