An update on federal funding cuts and the river

Earlier this year, DOGE threatened to terminate leases for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area park headquarters and visitor center in St. Paul.

Fortunately, pressure from advocates and Congresspeople seems to have worked, and our local national park unit will keep both leases. MNRRA still faces a hiring freeze and reduced capacity. But the Senate is signaling support for national park funding and hiring — going against cuts the Trump administration proposed.

Other federal funding cuts to agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers are impacting the upper Mississippi River, leading to less capacity to research and deal with invasive species, pollution and climate change effects like flooding.

Downstream, federal agencies tasked with addressing the Gulf dead zone have faced funding and staff cuts as well. Major cuts to FEMA mean that states bear the costs of disasters like flooding. Minnesota is proactively spending millions to improve flood resilience. A recent, shocking proposal that the EPA could deny fossil fuels' endangerment of human health would mean even less federal investment in climate solutions and protection.

Regardless of what happens at the federal level, FMR will continue pushing for Minnesota to do what we can for our waters. Thanks to our River Guardian advocates for speaking up against threats to the river and programs and agencies that take care of it.