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

FMR to MN Environmental Quality Board: Include climate change in environmental review

by Trevor Russell

March 22, 2021

On Monday, FMR submitted written comments to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board in support of their draft recommendations on integrating climate change into the state's environmental review process. Here's what we said. >>

Minnesota landfills are leaching 'forever chemicals'

by Peter LaFontaine

March 22, 2021

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

Mississippi River dog destinations: Our favorite spots and tips

by Peter LaFontaine

March 10, 2021

Can a person's best friend be a friend of the river? Meet our dogs, learn about their favorite river spots, and get tips on how to be mindful of water and wildlife while out and about with your four-legged friends. >>

Legislation to support Forever Green clean-water crops advances

by Peter LaFontaine

March 8, 2021

The Forever Green Initiative is at an inflection point, making funding for progress on clean-water crops crucial this cycle. So far, legislation has advanced through key agricultural committees in both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. What's next? >>

Minnesota's new budget forecast redefines legislative session

by Trevor Russell

March 5, 2021

Last November's projected state budget deficit turned into a projected $1.6 billion surplus. What does that mean for clean water, soil health and other environmental issues this legislative session? >>

FMR hails bipartisan support for state land conservation funding

by Trevor Russell

February 11, 2021

In a major win for conservation and water quality this legislative session, funding for the state’s flagship land protection program now has bipartisan support. >>

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

by Trevor Russell

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. >>

Minnesota gets a bad report card for nitrate reduction (part two)

by Trevor Russell

January 13, 2021

How do we get a better grade for nitrate pollution reduction? We have to change the mix of what we grow. In this follow-up, we explain why it isn't feasible to rely on incentive payments to farmers alone to move the needle on our water quality problems. And we offer an exciting solution that could improve water quality by AND sustain farmers' livelihoods. >>

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

by Peter LaFontaine

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? >>

River Guardians made an impact in 2020

by Ellie Rogers

January 5, 2021

We're celebrating the successes of more than 1,500 River Guardians who took action in 2020 to hold polluters of a toxic riverfront waste site accountable, to invest in critical infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water, and to protect migrating birds along the metro Mississippi flyway. Thank you! Find out more about your impact and what we're up against in 2021. >>