Water

FMR is proud to be a leading voice in protecting the water of our Big River and all the people and wildlife who depend on it.

From the banks of the Mississippi to the halls of the Legislature, our Water program strives to keep you up to date on important water-quality issues. (For political animals, here are all FMR posts related to legislative advocacy.)

Blog updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Twitter) and in FMR's Mississippi Messages newsletter.

Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when we need your help the most, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.

POSTS

Our 2022 legislative priorities

January 14, 2022

Our comments on Minnesota's 2022 Impaired Waters List

by Trevor Russell

January 10, 2022

On January 7, FMR was one of eight environmental organizations (led by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy) that provided comments to the State of Minnesota on the state's 2022 Impaired Waters List on behalf of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership. We focused on three key pollutants: sulfate (in wild rice waters), "forever chemicals" and nitrate contamination. Here's our letter. >>

Listen: Kernza and the Promise of Perennials

by Peter LaFontaine

January 8, 2022

Brighten up your next morning jog with a special Kernza-centric episode of the Field Work podcast. >>

Our position on a proposed MN clean fuel standard

by Trevor Russell

January 5, 2022

On January 5, FMR was one of 22 organizations that delivered a letter to the Walz administration detailing our position on the state's proposed clean fuel standard rulemaking process. Here's our letter, which outlines principles that will keep any clean fuel standard true to its name. >>

What the federal infrastructure bill means for Minnesota's waters

by Trevor Russell

December 13, 2021

Congress passed a long-awaited Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Biden signed into law on November 15. Here's what it means for Minnesota's waters. >>

Minnesota updates list of impaired waters for 2022

by Trevor Russell

December 9, 2021

As required by the federal Clean Water Act, Minnesota creates a list of impaired waters — those that fail to meet water quality standards — every two years. For the draft 2022 list, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is adding 305 water bodies with 417 new impairments. >>

River Guardians' impact in 2021

December 8, 2021

Watch the thank-you video we recorded (complete with outtakes at the end) to celebrate the successes of our River Guardians. These advocates took action in 2021 to champion a federal funding program to protect the Mississippi, advocate for more parkland in Cottage Grove and protect Minneapolis' drinking water. >>

Can we make Minnesota's drinking water lead-free?

by Trevor Russell

November 2, 2021

Everyone deserves clean, safe drinking water. Unfortunately, though lead was banned for plumbing in 1986, existing lead pipes remain a threat in Minnesota. FMR is working with our partners to advance three emerging opportunities to fund lead service line replacement. >>

State announces new pilot program to include climate change in environmental review

by Trevor Russell

October 13, 2021

In September, the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board approved a pilot project that will — for the first time — assess the climate impacts of some of Minnesota’s largest projects. Here’s what this long-overdue decision means for Minnesota’s efforts to address climate impacts on our environment, including the Mississippi River. >>

How to support our downstream neighbors after the hurricane

September 14, 2021

As our downstream neighbors continue to recover from yet another deadly and devastating hurricane, many of us are wondering "How can we help?"

Here's how you can support immediate relief efforts near the Gulf, volunteer online and take action to support long-term resiliency for the Mississippi River and its riverfront and delta communities. >>