Agencies and community members push back against river mining proposal in Cottage Grove

A mining company wants to dig for materials beneath the Mississippi River in Cottage Grove. WCCO interviewed FMR Land Use and Planning Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman (video above) about concerns from neighbors and government agencies.

FMR has been following the issue for some time and spoke at the Cottage Grove City Council meeting on November 5, 2025. Learn more about the outcome of the meeting or sign up for Mississippi Messages for updates. 

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Sign up and we'll email you when important river issues arise. We make it quick and easy to contact decision-makers. River Guardians are also invited to special social hours and other events about legislative and metro river corridor issues.

Explore all of our Land Use & Planning updates.

Upcoming Events

This school year
In your classroom or outside
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Camel's Hump Park and Open Space, Cottage Grove
Saturday, June 6, 2026 - 7:30am
Along the river in St. Paul

Join us for Music for the Mississippi River 

Celebrate the Mississippi River and support FMR with Tina Schlieske and Molly Maher, May 30 at Dual Citizen Brewing in St. Paul.