Friends of the Mississippi River
Working to protect the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities area
![[Image: FMR Logo]](/sites/fmr.org/themes/fmr/images/fmr_logo.gif){kind=logo}
River Corridor Land-Use, Policy & Advocacy
About the River Corridor Program
The Mississippi River is a natural, cultural and historic wonder that defines our place in the world, in our country, in our state and in our neighborhoods. As communities move to embrace the river and capitalize on its exceptional value, we risk degrading or even destroying the very qualities we seek to enjoy. FMR works within river communities to provide the leadership, technical assistance, and expertise in grassroots advocacy required to ensure that the essential values of public access, scenic views, historic preservation and environmental quality are respected as communities turn toward their riverfronts.
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area
The Mississippi River Corridor in the metro area was designated a State Critical Area in 1976 by Executive Order. For more than 30 years the Critical Area has provided a framework of state law, implemented through local plans and ordinances, to protect the Mississippi River's natural, cultural and scenic qualities, while allowing for appropriate economic development within the corridor boundaries.
In 2009 FMR worked with key legislators and other stakeholders to pass new Critical Area Reform legislation. The new law (Minn. Statutes §116G.15) directs the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to update the standards and guidelines for the critical area through state rulemaking.
FMR has been actively participating in the DNR rulemaking process since it began in early 2010. Along the way, our staff participated in stakeholder meetings, conducted extensive research and mapping work, submitted numerous comment letters, and organized shared communication with citizens and allied groups.
Learn more about the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area:
Planning for Riverfront Parks, Trails and Sustainable Development
The river corridor includes numerous opportunities for development, redevelopment and new parks and open spaces. When feasible, FMR seeks to get out ahead of the curve and work proactively with riverfront communities to plan for development that respects the river’s essential assets without diminishing economic benefits to the local area. This work is accomplished through FMR’s leadership and participation in community planning efforts, by providing technical and fundraising assistance, and through our work with local government officials, citizens and other stakeholders to advocate for and assist with the implementation of sustainable riverfront design and development, and new riverfront parks.
Learn more about FMR's riverfront planning initiatives.
Development Project and Plan Review and Advocacy
FMR plays a lead role advocating for land use and development that respects the river’s unique qualities, and building capacity among the citizens of the region to become more effective advocates for and stewards of those assets. To do this work, we must be attentive to breaking issues that pose a threat to the river’s assets and qualities as well as to situations that offer a unique opportunity to protect and enhance those assets.
Increasingly, FMR members and other citizens look to us to assist them with their local advocacy work around decisions that affect the health of the river. Because of our expertise, partner relationships and focused work at the local level, we are uniquely situated to play a leadership role with citizens and community groups in reacting to river corridor development and parkland proposals, and, whenever possible, to work proactively and collaboratively to forge a new consensus among the many river stakeholders for policies and practices that protect and enhance the river’s resources. As issues and projects emerge, we address them through a variety of means, including reviewing and commenting upon proposals, educating and lobbying elected officials and city staff, organizing allied group coalitions, and training citizens to advocate effectively.
Learn about FMR's work on current and past riverfront issues.
Search
Mississippi River Challenge: July 28-29, 2012
![[Graphic: Paddle the Mississippi River Challenge!]](/sites/fmr.org/files/mrc_bug_img_2013.jpg)
Get Mississippi Messages!
Visit the Mississippi River Field Guide!
![[Graphic] Mississippi River Field Guide link](/sites/fmr.org/files/images/bugs/field_guide_bug_img.gif)
Friends of the Mississippi River | 360 North Robert Street | Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101
voice: 651-222-2193 | fax: 651-222-6005 | contact
All contents © 2012 FMR and their respective authors