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.)

Updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Instagram) 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

Downstream damage in 2019: how the Midwest kills fish in the Gulf of Mexico

by Peter LaFontaine

July 19, 2019

Scientists predict the formation of an enormous dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico this summer, and some of the blame lies right here in Minnesota. Find out what links us to an ocean half a continent away, and how we can help. >>

Legislative Water Commission revived with a new name

by Trevor Russell

July 18, 2019

Last month, we lamented one of the more unusual results of the 2019 Legislative session: The administrative purgatory of the Legislative Water Commission. This month, we’ve got some great news! >>

MN's groundbreaking Groundwater Protection Rule goes into effect

by Trevor Russell

July 15, 2019

After decades of delay, Minnesota’s Groundwater Protection Rule aims to protect public health by addressing fertilizer contamination in groundwater. This is the first time our state has exercised its regulatory authority over cropland agriculture to protect water quality. >>

FMR at AgroEcology Summit

July 9, 2019

Join us at lovely Willow Lake Farm for "Butterflies, Bluegreens, Kilowatts & Calories," August 16-17. >>

Wall Street Journal: The world’s appetite is threatening the Mississippi River

by Trevor Russell

July 9, 2019

Early this month, the Wall Street Journal published a fascinating overview of the agricultural runoff challenges facing the length of the Mississippi River. And satellite images of the Upper Midwest in the Washington Post illustrate how this wet spring spells trouble for farmers and for the river. >>

Cornell research: Fertilizer plants emit 100 times more methane than reported

by Trevor Russell

July 9, 2019

New research from Cornell University suggests that methane emissions from fertilizer production facilities may be 100 times greater than industry estimates. In fact, it might be greater than the U.S. EPA’s estimate for all national industrial processes combined. >>

Legislative Water Commission stuck in 'government purgatory'

by Trevor Russell

June 12, 2019

A surprising split-decision has left the Legislative Water Commission with an uncertain future. >>

Rain, rain, go away: river flooding continues

by Peter LaFontaine

June 11, 2019

Tired of all of the rainstorms yet? This year has been a historically wet and flood-prone year, impacting cities, towns and farms across the Midwest. In this news roundup, find out what's happening and why it matters. >>

Safer drinking water is around the bend (for some)

by Peter LaFontaine

June 10, 2019

As reported by the Star Tribune, new limits on farm fertilizer will benefit human health and wildlife. It's a huge step for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, but is the state doing enough to protect our drinking water and the Mississippi River? >>

It's a wrap. How FMR’s priorities fared in the 2019 session

by Trevor Russell

May 29, 2019

The 2019 Legislative Session kicked on in January with Governor Walz presiding over the only divided state legislature in the nation.

This led to some core disagreements, missed deadlines and an assorted bag of victories and compromises for Minnesota's environment and the Mississippi River.

Here’s a brief summary of the major items we were tracking, and how each turned out. >>