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

2020 legislative session ends with most bills "staying at home"

by Trevor Russell

May 19, 2020

On Sunday at midnight, the 2020 Minnesota Legislature wrapped up a legislative session unlike any other. And in the end, most legislation failed to cross the finish line in time. Where does that leave our clean water initiatives? And what happens next? >>

How clean water and the Mississippi River fared in the bonding bills

by Trevor Russell

May 19, 2020

FMR's top clean water and Mississippi River bonding priorities failed to cross the finish line as the clock ran out on the legislative session. >>

How the Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund fared this session

by Trevor Russell

May 19, 2020

After FMR advocates and coalition partners stopped an attempted raid, the House and Senate passed relatively "clean" Environmental Trust Fund bills, but the clock ran out on final negotiations and no final vote was taken. >>

Bake for the river: Kernza in your kitchen

by Peter LaFontaine

May 19, 2020

For the first time ever, home bakers can get their oven mitts on Kernza flour, a delicious and river-friendly perennial grain. Let us know if you try it out! >>

Action Alert: It's time to #FixthePipesMN [CLOSED]

May 13, 2020

For our water, our economy, and Minnesota communities, please take a moment to ask your legislators to #FixthePipesMN. >>

Star Tribune commentary: Don't let environmental funding fall prey to political games

by Trevor Russell

May 12, 2020

The recent commentary calls on the Legislature to drop a controversial “poison pill” provision that is blocking the use of an important dedicated environmental fund in Minnesota. >>

Action Alert: Stop the rollbacks in the Senate environment bill [CLOSED]

May 11, 2020

While many of our lives have been disrupted, one thing remains alarmingly consistent: the Minnesota Senate is once again taking aim at Minnesota's bedrock environmental laws. Please take a moment to contact your Senator and ask them to remove the damaging provisions in the environment bill ASAP. >>

It's time to fix the pipes, Minnesota!

by Trevor Russell

May 11, 2020

For our environment and our economy, it's time to invest in Minnesota's aging water treatment systems and wastewater plants.

We're proud to be part of a new coalition of business, environment, local government and trade groups asking our state to #FixthePipesMN this session. Learn more and take action. >>

MN Senate takes aim at environment and public's right to know

by Trevor Russell

May 8, 2020

Things we can't escape: death, taxes, and our Minnesota Senate majority trying to roll back environmental protections. This year, they've even brought back a groundwater "gag rule." Let's dive in and take action. >>

Revised 2020 state budget outlook casts a shadow on environmental funding

by Trevor Russell

May 7, 2020

A few months ago, Minnesota was looking at a sizable budget surplus. Now we've got a projected $2.4 billion deficit. What does that mean for clean water funding this legislative session? >>