Second CD3 Station on Cedar Lake Provides the Tools Boaters Need to Clean, Drain and Dry, and help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species by David Glass, President of the Cedar Lake Conservation Club, May 30, 2023. The Cedar Lake Conservation Club (CLCC) and the Wright Soil and Water Conservation District (WSWCD) are pleased… Read more »
2023 Legislative Outcomes – Gains Made in Advancing Clean Water and Property Tax Relief on Shorelands St. Paul, 6:30 PM, May 18th, 2023 – Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates’ (MLR) professional lobbying and the grassroots advocacy of lake associations and MLR members combined to promote passage of the sweeping 450 page Environment and Natural Resources… Read more »
Early Detection of Aquatic Invasive Species Provides Profound Results and Good Return on Investment Washburn Lake Eradicates Eurasian Watermilfoil (mostly) In about 2007, I received a call from Ted Johnson, the President of the Lake Washburn Association, LWA about Aquatic Invasive Species. Ted was concerned that Lake Washburn was susceptible to AIS following the construction… Read more »
MLR uses Civic Organizing strategies to address the gap between citizens and government Minnesota Lakes and Rivers first applied the Civic Organizing framework as a strategy to advance the public good policy positions during the 2022 election cycle. Much of our time is spent working at the State Capitol, attending hearings, providing testimony, participating in… Read more »
The MPCA reports that 56% of the lakes and rivers in Minnesota are impaired. The sources and reasons for water degradation are both plentiful and complex, but degraded shoreline is a contributor. The simple fact is that if we want to improve water, we must improve land management. Unfortunately, the trends are towards more development… Read more »
by Sheila Johnston The Common Loon is Minnesota’s state bird and it is beloved for its haunting calls and dramatic beauty. Minnesota is home to an estimated 12,000 loons! Alaska is the only state with more loons. With 12,000 loons in the state, it is no surprise that some of them succumb to illness andRead More
On Sept. 24th, at a meeting of over 20 lake association leaders from across the state, MLR Executive Director Jeff Forester awarded Sen. Carrie Ruud the 2022 Lake Advocate of the year award. In presenting the award, Jeff Forester said, “There is no legislator more focused on lake andriver issues than Senator Ruud. As Chair… Read more »
Our Lake and River Shorelines are at a Turning Point Our lakes are in trouble and the situation is urgent. If we want to manage water, we must manage land. As lake shore property owners we have both a significant opportunity and exposure to negative impacts from water quality decline. According to shoreline specialists at… Read more »
By Jeff Forester The most cost effective strategy to deal with AIS is to prevent them from spreading. This is the only solution that is 100% effective. But while prevention strategies are being deployed, lake associations benefit both in terms of cost savings and good outcomes if they also focus on early detection and makingRead More
Water management is highly political, but MLR has always been completely non-partisan. What I mean by highly political is that protecting water is the work of citizens. The alphabet soup of agencies, MN DNR, SWCDs, WDs are simply not equipped nor do they have the budget to take the actions required to protect pristine waters… Read more »