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

Field days provide a Forever Green respite from this dry summer

This summer has been droughty (and recently, smoky), leaving some conventional crops in trouble. But there are plenty of green growing fields and exciting developments when it comes to some of FMR's favorite clean-water crops. Here's a recap of a few field visits that make us hopeful for our state and our river.  >>

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2021 Legislative session wrap-up

Here’s where major water-related environmental bills and issues stand at the long-delayed conclusion of the 2021 legislative session, including future water train proposals, PFAS and more.  >>

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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
Learn more about how the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act could help restore the Mighty Mississippi. Read more
A bald eagle, wings spread wide, as it soars over water.
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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Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
Virtual and in-person
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area