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.

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POSTS

State’s Groundwater Protection Rule now in full effect

by Trevor Russell

September 10, 2020

As noted in a recent MPR News story, Minnesota farm operators will no longer be allowed to apply nitrogen fertilizer in the fall or on frozen ground above Minnesota’s most vulnerable aquifers. While that means cleaner drinking water for many Minnesotans, this rule alone won't solve our nitrate pollution problems. >>

State & Strib connect the dots between crops and water health

by sue rich

September 8, 2020

The Star Tribune recently covered a report that underscores the connection between water quality and the need to alter what we plant in Minnesota's farm fields. But this report wasn't issued by the usual suspects — now the state is actively calling for profitable clean-water crops. >>

A seagull made of plastic: The threat of plastics in our waters

September 3, 2020

Audrey, a summer Youth Empowerment Program participant, wanted to make the threat of microplastics in freshwater visible through art. She crafted her seagull sculpture using plastic she found during just half an hour at a Lake Superior beach. >>

MPCA report: The Upper Mississippi's upstream crud

by Peter LaFontaine

August 21, 2020

A new report from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency finds that the Upper Mississippi River from Grand Rapids to Brainerd is impaired with too much sediment. What can we do about it? >>

State Supreme Court rules on White Bear Lake water levels

by Trevor Russell

August 12, 2020

The Minnesota Supreme Court made headlines as it acted to protect not only the metro's second-largest lake but Minnesotans' ability to sue a state agency based on its cumulative environmental impact. >>

Pinelands-to-potatoes fiasco heads to court

by Trevor Russell

August 11, 2020

A controversial attempt by of a Fargo-based agribusiness giant to skirt Minnesota‘s environmental laws is going to court – and the stakes are huge. >>

Dead zone 2020: The good, the bad and the algae

by Peter LaFontaine

August 5, 2020

A smaller-than-average Gulf of Mexico dead zone is cause for celebration — isn't it? >>

Youth guest column: Why environmental legislation is important and what you should know

by Fiona Hatch

July 30, 2020

Fiona, a summer Youth Empowerment Program participant, wants you to get involved in legislative action for clean water and the environment. Here's her account of the impact of recent environmental legislation, the possibility for critical change this year and in the future, and how you can influence policy. >>

2020 Special session #2: A mixed disappointment

by Trevor Russell

July 23, 2020

On the heels of a regular session and first special session that failed to live up to expectations, Minnesota legislators have wrapped up a second special session with what could generously be considered “mixed results." See how FMR's priorities fared. >>

Action Alert: Justice can't wait. Support police reform. [CLOSED]

July 15, 2020

As Minnesota legislators embark on a second special session, we're once again asking you to stand up for the voices of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) by supporting the Minnesota Legislature's 19-member People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus justice reforms >>