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

Legislators delay MN groundwater protection, Dayton says 'no'

A new state rule aimed at reducing groundwater contamination by farm fertilizers could be delayed by a legislative move made formal on Monday, June 11. But Gov. Mark Dayton is calling the move unconstitutional and has instructed the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to proceed as planned. 

At this time, public hearings about the new and much-needed water protection rule are still on the calendar, including one in Farmington, Monday, July 16. Expect a River Guardians Action Alert this July as well. >> 

Read more
State approves $15 million for big N Mpls. river project

The 2018 Minnesota legislative session resulted in very good news for a 48-acre riverfront site in North Minneapolis known as the Upper Harbor Terminal. An influx of $15 million state dollars will help kickstart its redevelopment into housing, offices, stores, restaurants, an amphitheater, parks and trails. >>

Read more
How our environment and the Mississippi River fared this legislative session

While many of the most troubling bills and provisions were eventually defeated this Minnesota legislative session, a mixed bag of stand-alone items were passed and signed into law. ...And, oh yeah, the Legislature unnecessarily raided $98 million from the state’s voter-approved Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund.. >>

Read more
What got funded in the final bonding bill

Gov. Dayton has signed the Legislature's 2018 bonding bill.

The governor used a line-item veto to remove one controversial provision but (reluctantly) approved the rest of the bill — including an unprecedented $98 million raid of the state’s Environmental Trust Fund.

Here’s a summary of what got funded, what got line-item vetoed and what got raided. >>

Read more
How clean water crops fared this session

Here’s how Working Lands and Forever Green legislation fared this session.

Read more
How chloride legislation fared this session

One of the most promising pro-environment legislative initiatives this session was about reducing chloride (salt) pollution. Here's how chloride legislation fared this session.

Read more
Gov. Dayton signs off on Enviro Trust Fund raid!

In a major defeat for Minnesota's environment, Gov. Dayton has signed off on the legislature's $98 million of the state’s Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund to pay for debt on state bonds.

Read more
How the local pre-emption bills for plastics fared this session

One bill stalled, the other passed in the tax bill that was vetoed by Gov. Dayton.
 

Read more
Gov. Dayton vetoes wild rice bill

FMR, along with 26 other conservation, tribal and outdoor recreation organizations, recently wrote a letter to Gov. Dayton asking him to veto this controversial bill. On Thursday, May 30th, Gov. Dayton vetoed the wild rice bill! >>

Read more
#Omnibus Prime vetoed: Massive supplemental budget & policy bill goes down

Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed the Legislature’s massive multi-subject budget and policy bill due, in part, to environmental concerns. >>

 

Read more

Pages

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