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

Groups join the call to create a new federal program to protect the Mississippi River

More than 65 organizations are backing the Mississippi River Restoration & Resilience Initiative or MRRRI Act introduced to Congress in June. Find out why the MRRRI Act merits its broad support.  >>

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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency commissioner resigns

Only July 6, the Senate convened and informed the governor that they would vote to deny confirmation for Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop, due to the agency’s support for the Clean Cars Minnesota rulemaking process. In response, Commissioner Bishop announced her resignation shortly thereafter.  >>

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Water crisis in Des Moines: Why does a river city need wells?

Des Moines has ample surface water from its two rivers, but contamination from upstream runoff has forced officials to start pivoting to a drastic new plan: drilling $30 million worth of wells.  >>

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Federal Mississippi River initiative takes flight! Sign the petition

The Everglades, Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and the Great Lakes. What do all of these natural resources have that the Mississippi River does not? A dedicated federal restoration program.

But a new bill seeks to change that. Tell Congress you support a whole-river restoration program! >>

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Star Trib commentary on exciting new federal river initiative

As FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark and Congresswoman Betty McCollum recently wrote in the StarTribune:  it’s time for Congress to make the same commitment to the Mississippi River as they have to Puget Sound, Chesapeake Bay, and the Everglades.

Read their commentary and join the call for a new, dedicated federal funding program for our remarkable river! >>

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Special Session Action Alert: Support conservation & our environmental agencies [CLOSED]

The fate of this year's omnibus Environment Bill will be decided in the upcoming special session. Please send a quick message to your legislators to support the ENRTF, fully fund our environmental state agencies, and say no to unnecessary changes to the Public Waters Inventory process. >>

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Something's rotten in the state of Minnesota

The latest act in the "Pinelands to Potatoes" saga is a blow to environmental protection.  >>

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Special Session Action Alert: Support clean water bonding [CLOSED]

Next up for this special session: the bonding bill. Join us in calling on legislators to support two important water infrastructure projects: #FixthePipes and CREP. >>

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Special Session Action Alert: Support clean water & oppose raids to the Clean Water Fund [CLOSED]

The Minnesota Legislature is coming back for a special session! We're asking River Guardians and others to weigh in on three priority environmental bills to make sure lawmakers get this right. First up: the Omnibus Legacy Bill. >>

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The clock runs out on the Minnesota Legislature

On the final day of the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers agreed to a $52 billion two-year state budget, but the clock ran out before they could pass any meaningful legislation. Here’s where major water-related environmental bills stand as we prepare for a special session.  >>

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
South Branch Vermillion Aquatic Management Area, Hastings
Thursday, June 15, 2023 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Hidden Falls Regional Park