Freshwater works with elected officials and government leaders to promote sound public policy that protects and preserves lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers. Our grounding principle is that restoring or mimicking natural landscapes is key to replenishing groundwater and protecting surface water.
Our policy work supports three focus areas:
- Safe and clean water all communities: 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.
We are working on several key water issues 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.
Letter of Support (2/12/25) - Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriation bill
Letter of Support (8/14/24) - Clean Water Council FY26-27 funding recommendations
Letter of Support (2/21/24) - Establishing a Council on Infrastructure
Letter of Support (3/4/24) - SWCD funding increase
Letter of Support (3/5/24) - Limited liability for Smart Salting-certified applicators
Letter of Support (3/18/24) - Clean water, climate-smart, and soil-healthy farming
Letter of Support (3/20/24) - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations (Minnesota Senate)
Letter of Support (4/2/24) - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations (Minnesota House)
Letter of Support (4/3/24) - Minnesota Department of Agriculture funding for nitrate treatment
Letter of Support (4/14/24) - Nitrate response and soil health funding in Senate agriculture omnibus
Letter of Support (4/15/24) - Nitrate response in House agriculture omnibus
Letter of Support (4/15/24) - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations in Senate Legacy bill
Letter of Support (4/16/24) - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations in House Legacy bill
Letter of Support (4/29/24) - Capital Improvement Appropriations (Minnesota Senate)
Letter of Support (4/29/24) - Capital Improvement Appropriations (Minnesota House)
Letter of Support (5/1/24) - Clean Water Council supplemental funding recommendations (Minnesota House and Senate)
Letter of Support (5/2/24) - Agriculture Omnibus (Minnesota House and Senate)
Letter of Support (5/14/24) - Agriculture Omnibus (Minnesota House and Senate Conference Committee)
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.