You can help protect special places in the river corridor, such as Grey Cloud Island (above), by signing FMR's online petition.

Photo: Keith Erickson

Now is an important time for citizens to weigh in and help ensure a healthy future for our National Park on the Mississippi River.

In the last few months, organized opposition to much-needed new rules for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) has emerged. Citizens who care about the public values of the river are needed to speak up on its behalf, supporting strong rules to protect the river's shared assets, such as healthy habitat, water quality and scenic views.

As the end of the year approaches, the first phase of rulemaking for the Critical Area is winding down. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has met with stakeholders, held two public meetings and drafted the initial districts and standards for the corridor. In November, the DNR Commissioner will review and possibly revise the draft rules before sending it on to the Governor for review. If approved to move forward in the process, the draft rules would then be subject to formal review and public hearings under an Administrative Law Judge. However, in the face of recent vocal opposition, it is possible that the DNR Commissioner or Governor will want to weaken the draft rules. Just this August, after months of letting them sit on his desk, Governor Pawlenty rejected new shoreland rules to protect Minnesota’s lake and river shoreland areas claiming that they were "over-reaching."

Here are a few ways that you can support new, stronger rules for the Mississippi River Critical Area:

1. Sign FMR's electronic petition.
   Add your e-signature to this simple statement of support for strong rules for the river.
2. Spread the word about FMR's electronic petition.
   Share this article and/or the link with friends by email or on Facebook.
3. Print the petition and gather signatures.
   Download and print the form, share it with friends and neighbors, or take it to public events. Please send it to our office by November 12; the mailing address is included on the petition.
4. Comment to the DNR.
   Download the comment form from the DNR's critical area website, fill it out and send it in (the address is on the DNR form). To review the draft standards beforehand, visit the DNR’s Critical Area page and scroll down to “Preliminary Draft Standards.”
5. Write and send a letter about the rules to the DNR Commissioner.
   Skip the forms and send a letter directly to DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Rd. St. Paul, MN 55155.

If you would like more information, contact Irene Jones, FMR River Corridor Program Director, via our contact form or by phone at 651-222-2193 ext. 11, or visit:

• the Star Tribune’s recent overview article on this issue, “New rules would protect Mississippi shore”
• FMR’s Critical Area Fact Sheet,
• the DNR’s Critical Area webpage.

— Irene Jones, River Corridor Program Director