Water & Legislative

'Blasting Minnesota DNR, judge stands by her White Bear Lake ruling'

April 3, 2018

As reported by Josephine Marcotty in the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' request to stay a groundbreaking court order restricting heavy water use around White Bear Lake has been roundly rejected.

The judge, Ramsey County Judge Margaret Marrinan, harshly criticized the agency for what she called a “stunning” history of failing to comply with state laws designed to protect the environment.

Now, however, the Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill to essentially override the judge's ruling. >>

The top 4 environmental rollbacks in this year's Chamber of Commerce bill

March 30, 2018

It wouldn’t be a legislative session without a bill from our friends at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to roll back basic environmental protections. Here's the worst of this year's edition. >>

The bizarre case of the $2 million MESERB bill

March 30, 2018

Every so often, a bill starts moving at the Capitol that defies rational explanation. One such bill this year aims to give $2 million in state taxpayer funds to regulated parties to allow them to provide “oversight” of their own state regulators. Welcome to the MESERB bill. Fox…meet hen house. >>

Respect public input — No fast-tracking Enbridge Line 3

by Trevor Russell

March 27, 2018

In one of the more controversial moves of the legislative session, a key House committee is considering a bill granting immediate approval of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 project. >>

A new environmental learning center at Watergate Marina?

March 15, 2018

If all goes well at the state Capitol this session, the City of Saint Paul could begin designing a new environmental learning center on the river at Watergate Marina as early as July. >>

Environmental groups release statement on draft groundwater protection rule

March 15, 2018

FMR joined eight other conservation organizations in a statement on the state's proposed groundwater protection rule. >>

Governor announces changes to draft Groundwater Protection Rule

March 6, 2018

Tuesday, March 6, Gov. Mark Dayton and Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Fredrickson announced revisions to the states proposed groundwater protection rules.

While the final rule language won’t be released for public comment until May, the announcement outlined some major changes to the state’s preliminary draft, with improvements in some areas and major risks to public health and saftey in others. >>

Budget Forecast means $22 million repaid to state’s Clean Water Fund

by Trevor Russell

February 28, 2018

The forecast shows a projected budget surplus of $329 million for the 2018-19 biennium. As a result, $22 million will be repaid to the Clean Water Fund to hlep protect our state's waters.

Multiple bills undermine state drinking water protection authority

February 27, 2018

We can all agree that clean, safe drinking water should be accessible and affordable for everyone regardless of geography or income. Unfortunately, no fewer than five bills have already been introduced this session that undercut state authority to protect public and private wells from contamination through the 1989 Groundwater Protection Act. >>

What we want this legislative session

February 20, 2018

Budget uncertainty, election-year politics and a sometimes-heated debate on environment and conservation issues should make for a fascinating legislative session.

Here are our priorities for the 2018 session, kicking off Tuesday, February 20. We'll be advocating for investments in essential water infrastructure and in programs that will reduce agricultural and salt pollution, and working to stop rollbacks of existing environmental protections. >>

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