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

The 2018 bonding bill: What’s in, what’s out and what trust fund got raided to pay for it

The House and Senate passed a final state bonding bill in the final weekend of the session. While the overall bill includes some excellent projects, the overall bill includes a massive $98 million raid to the state's Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) and $500,000 for regulated polluters to provide “oversight” of their own state regulators. >>

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White Bear Lake legal ruling suspended by Legislature

New legislation has been signed into law that prevents the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from complying with a  judge’s court-ordered conservation measures for White Bear Lake. >>

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Bad to worse: Raid on Environmental Trust Fund balloons to $98 million!

In an unprecedented move, a much-feared $47 million-dollar raid on the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund ballooned to a $98-million raid in the Minnesota legislative session’s final hours. >>

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Action alert: Protect MN's Environment Trust Fund!

It's the last week of Minnesota's 2018 legislative session and your support is needed! Ask Gov. Mark Dayton and your legislators to protect Minnesota's Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund. >>

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House & Senate eye raid on Environment Trust Fund

We have a new leader in the clubhouse for bad ideas this legislative session: The Minnesota House and Senate are looking to raid $47 million from the state’s Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund to pay debt service on bonding projects! >>

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Star Tribune details the Legislature’s White Bear Lake bill

Recommended reading: Check out this well-done Star Tribune article about our Legislature’s effort to suspend a judge’s ruling that requires state and local action to protect groundwater in the north and east metro. >>

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Action alert: Urge 5 changes to MN bonding bill

It's the last week of Minnesota's 2018 legislative session and your support is needed! Ask Gov. Mark Dayton and your legislators to make five changes to the bonding bill to better support clean water and parks. >>

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House & Senate offer $825 million bonding proposals

In January, Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a $1.5 billion capital investment or "bonding" bill. Dubbed the “Jobs Bill,” the package included much-needed investments in Minnesota’s water resources, including drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for communities across the state. >>

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Great news: Governor vetoes wild rice bill!

Gov. Mark Dayton has fulfilled his promise to veto the wild rice bill (HF 3280)!

The bill would have abolished a longstanding state water quality sulfites standard. It would have violated the federal Clean Water Act, inevitably inviting litigation and turmoil into an already challenging situation. >>

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