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

State names cities to be protected by Groundwater Protection Rule

by Trevor Russell

January 24, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has reached a major milestone by identifying which communities are eligible for protection under the state’s new Groundwater Protection Rule. >>

You say potato, I say fiasco

by Peter LaFontaine

January 22, 2020

Here's what one farmer's fight tells us about agriculture, public health and our state's exasperating approach to balancing priorities. >>

Report: One in eight Minnesotans drink groundwater with elevated nitrate

by Trevor Russell

January 15, 2020

Drinking water for an estimated half a million Minnesotans is drawn from groundwater contaminated with elevated levels of nitrate, a toxic pollutant that is linked to cancer and is especially dangerous for infants, according to a recent Environmental Working Group analysis of federal and state test data. >>

Tell us your thoughts on FMR's 2020 legislative priorities

January 13, 2020

We value your feedback! Please take our survey and let us know which of our top four legislative priorities for the 2020 session are important to you. And if any of these feel especially important, we'd love to know why. >>

Our 2020 legislative priorities

by Trevor Russell

January 13, 2020

Minnesota's 2020 legislative session kicks off on February 11. Here’s a look at what to expect, and what FMR's top four priorities are this year. >>

Governor Walz releases ambitious $300M water infrastructure proposal

by Trevor Russell

January 13, 2020

Gov. Walz has proposed investing $300 million in much-needed water infrastructure through the state’s 2020 bonding bill. Find out what's in the governor's proposal. >>

What is the Forever Green Initiative?

January 8, 2020

FMR Water Program 2019 highlights

by Trevor Russell

January 3, 2020

From pushing through a snowstorm to lobby our legislators to expanding our programs to address a major threat to the health of our river, agricultural pollution, FMR staff, members and River Guardians have a lot to be proud of from 2019! >>

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >>

Another brutal year for MN farmers

by Peter LaFontaine

December 5, 2019

Wet weather, a trade war, and low crop prices combined to deal a blow to Minnesota's rural communities in 2019.

Why is this Water Blog news? Because the same strategies that FMR supports to reduce river pollution from agricultural sources can also make farms more profitable and resilient long-term. >>