Why rivers flood
Community water supplies at risk. Sediment and pollutants washing downstream. Catastrophic floods right around the corner — A recent Star Tribune article reminds us of the growing threat high flows and erosion pose for the Minnesota River — and the toll that takes on our waters and communities. >>
Thank you, River Guardians!
Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >>
Another brutal year for MN farmers
Wet weather, a trade war, and low crop prices combined to deal a blow to Minnesota's rural communities in 2019.
Why is this Water Blog news? Because the same strategies that FMR supports to reduce river pollution from agricultural sources can also make farms more profitable and resilient long-term. >>
Lessons from the Dust Bowl: A cleaner Mississippi is rooted in a new farming paradigm
Our agricultural practices caused disastrous dust storms like this one in Kansas in 1935. Generations later, the way we farm has again led to grave challenges — unsafe drinking water and the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. What can the Dust Bowl teach us about how to move forward? >>
State research offers fresh look at a troubled Minnesota River
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently released a series of reports, studies and plans addressing water contamination in the Minnesota River, the biggest tributary to the Mississippi in our state. It looks like the river is in need of some big changes if we're to meet our state's water quality goals. >>
Listen: Kernza's continuous cover
What is Kernza and why do some experts think it's such a big part of Minnesota's farming future? In the Land Stewardship Project's Ear to the Ground podcast, learn more from the people working to advance this exciting new crop. >>
MN's groundbreaking Groundwater Protection Rule goes into effect
After decades of delay, Minnesota’s Groundwater Protection Rule aims to protect public health by addressing fertilizer contamination in groundwater. This is the first time our state has exercised its regulatory authority over cropland agriculture to protect water quality. >>
It's a wrap. How FMR’s priorities fared in the 2019 session
The 2019 Legislative Session kicked on in January with Governor Walz presiding over the only divided state legislature in the nation.
This led to some core disagreements, missed deadlines and an assorted bag of victories and compromises for Minnesota's environment and the Mississippi River.
Here’s a brief summary of the major items we were tracking, and how each turned out. >>
Action Alert - Say ‘no’ to environmental cuts, raids and rollbacks in SF2314 [CLOSED]
With less than two weeks to go, legislators are meeting to craft a final environment budget & policy bill. Please act today to tell your legislators: “No cuts, rollbacks and raids in the omnibus environment bill!” >>
Action Alert - Fully fund Forever Green [CLOSED]
With just two weeks left in the legislative session, the Minnesota House has proposed full funding for the Forever Green Initiative but the Senate has not. Act today to support FMR's top legislative priority: Full funding Forever Green to protect the Mississippi River and support Minnesota's rural communities. >>