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

Working Lands program advances in Senate, left out in House

While the Minnesota Senate has included FMR's top 2016 legislative priority The Working Lands Watershed Restoration Program in its omnibus environmental bill, the House has declined to include this vital program for water quality in their version.

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House advances $8.93 million omnibus environment policy & finance bill

Late last week, the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee voted to approve its omnibus environment & natural resources policy and finance bill. While the bill includes a number of provisions requested by state agencies, it failed to include FMR's top legislative priority for the 2016 session: The Working Lands Watershed Restoration Program.

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Senate environment committee unanimously advances $7.5 million environment bill

Late last week, the Minnesota Senate Environment and Energy Finance Budget Division unanimously passed the Omnibus Environment & Energy Finance bill. The bill includes a number of environmental provisions, including FMR's top legislative priority for the 2016 session: The Working Lands Watershed Restoration Program.
 

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Great news from Iowa on the promise of cellulosic biofuels

On the heels of encouraging progress on our perennial biofuels bill, more great news has come forward on the promise of cellulosic biofuels

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With bipartisan support, perennial biofuels bills advance

One of FMR's top legislative priorities for the 2016 session earned unanimous bipartisan support in House and Senate committees today.

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Unusual bill aims to mandate 5 new coal plants on Sherco site

In one of the more unusual pieces of legislation to come forward this session, a new bill (HF 3256) would require an as-of-yet unnamed public utility to build no fewer than five brand-new coal-fired power plants at the Sherburne County Generating Station.

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Legislative attempt to rollback buffer law passes first hearing

As anticipated, buffers are back in the news as House Republicans are teaming up with a minority of rural Senate DFLers to rollback the buffer law. A pair of bills, authored by representative Torkelson (R) and Senator Skoe (DFL) have been introduced. Senator Skoe's bill has already passed the Senate agriculture committee despite opposition from Senate DFLers on the committee.  

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Perennial biofuels incentive program bills introduced

The legislature has introduced bills in both chambers to advance one of FMR's 2016 policy priorities: a perennial biofuels incentive program. Dubbed the "Working Lands Watershed Restoration Program," the bills ask for $479,000 in fiscal year 2017 for the state's Board of Water and Soil Resources to prepare a plan for creating a state-funded biofuels incentive program.

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