Freshwater works with elected officials and government leaders to promote sound public policy that protects and preserves lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers. As a nonpartisan science-based organization, we seek collaborative and lasting solutions to complex water issues.
Our policy work supports three focus areas:
- Safe and clean water for all: with focused attention on improving public health and ecosystems for rural, tribal and underserved communities.
- Groundwater sustainability including restoration, governance, and protection.
- Water system adaptation and resiliency in response to changes in climate.
Legislative Agenda
We are working on several priorities at the Minnesota Legislature this session, including:
- Siting and development of water-intensive industry with consideration of long-term water impacts.
- Safe drinking water for all: Support for private well owners and continued nitrate contamination mitigation.
- Increase to soil and water conservation district funding.
- Maintaining integrity of dedicated state environmental funds.
3/27/25 - Clean Water Council recommendations in Omnibus Legacy Finance Bill (Minnesota Senate)
3/19/25 - Outdoor use of rainwater and stormwater provision (Minnesota Senate)
3/18/25 - Nitrate mitigation funding for private wells (Minnesota Senate)
3/13/25 - Nitrate mitigation funding for private wells (Minnesota House)
3/10/25 - Water infrastructure funding (Minnesota Senate)
2/28/25 - Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriation bill (Minnesota Senate)
2/12/25 - Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriation bill (Minnesota Senate)
8/14/24 - Clean Water Council FY26-27 funding recommendations
5/14/24 - Agriculture Omnibus (Minnesota House and Senate Conference Committee)
5/2/24 - Agriculture Omnibus (Minnesota House and Senate)
5/1/24 - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations (Minnesota House and Senate)
4/29/24 - Capital Improvement Appropriations (Minnesota House)
4/29/24 - Capital Improvement Appropriations (Minnesota Senate)
4/16/24 - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations in House Legacy bill
4/15/24 - Nitrate response in House agriculture omnibus
4/15/24 - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations in Senate Legacy bill
4/14/24 - Nitrate response and soil health funding in Senate agriculture omnibus
4/3/24 - Minnesota Department of Agriculture funding for nitrate treatment
4/2/24 - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations (Minnesota House)
3/20/24 - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations (Minnesota Senate)
3/18/24 - Clean water, climate-smart, and soil-healthy farming
3/5/24 - Limited liability for Smart Salting-certified applicators
3/4/24 - SWCD funding increase
2/21/24 - Establishing a Council on Infrastructure
Current policy work
RESEARCH
Our published research informs elected officials, state agencies, citizens and others about critical surface water and groundwater issues.
PRESENTATIONS
We often deliver presentations to government staff, concerned citizens, emergency response managers and water professionals. Please email freshwater@freshwater.org.