East Range water project asks legislature to fix WIF cap language so Aurora can qualify for larger grant A bill to clarify that a 2025 increase to the Water Infrastructure Funding (WIF) cap applies to the East Range Water project would allow Aurora to reach the program's affordability threshold and avoid loans that would exceed local repayment capacity.

A crucial legislative change could unlock vital funding for the East Range Water project, helping Aurora avoid crippling loan rates and ensure affordable access to water.

Click to read more!

#MN #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #InfrastructureFunding #MinnesotaWater

Aurora mayor urges retroactive water-infrastructure cap relief; committee narrows scope Sponsors sought to clarify that an increased WIF cap ($10 million) apply to the Aurora East Range Water Project, which has a roughly $5 million gap; the committee adopted a narrow amendment to affect only the Aurora project and laid the bill over for further consideration.

Aurora's mayor is pushing for crucial funding relief for a water project that's $5 million short, but a legislative proposal might change the game!

Click to read more!

#MN #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureFunding #MinnesotaWater #CommunityWaterSolutions

Committee lays over Lake Elmo water‑allocation bill amid DNR concerns and court history Representative Johnson's bill to exempt Lake Elmo from a court‑imposed 5‑mile allocation restriction was laid over after the city and DNR gave conflicting accounts: the city warned a $50 million PFAS treatment plant could be mothballed without new allocations; DNR said permit amendment processes are available and warned against precedent‑setting statutory directions.

Lake Elmo's future hangs in the balance as a $50 million treatment plant faces the threat of being mothballed without new water allocations, sparking a heated debate in the legislature.

Get the details!

#MN #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy #WaterResourceManagement #MinnesotaWater

Committee approves amendment and refers bill to clarify tort-liability treatment for rural water and sewer systems The House committee approved an amendment and forwarded HF1667 to Judiciary after testimony from rural water managers seeking explicit inclusion of water and sewer districts in Minnesota's political-subdivision tort-liability cap to avoid bankrupting nonprofit public systems.

Minnesota's rural water systems could face bankruptcy without legal protections, as a new bill seeks to clarify their status under tort liability laws.

Learn more here

#MN #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #RuralInfrastructure #MinnesotaWater

Minnesota legislature proposes rebate program for water softener replacement Legislature establishes a rebate for replacing time-based water softeners with efficient models.

Minnesota is stepping up for the environment by launching a rebate program that encourages homeowners to replace outdated water softeners with energy-efficient models!

Click to read more!

#MN #ResourceConservation #CitizenPortal #SustainabilityInitiatives #MinnesotaWater #WaterEfficiency

The Boundary Waters Under Attack - Three Critical Threats - friends-bwca.org The pristine wilderness of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) faces immediate and severe threats that require your action now. As one of America’s most treasured wilderness areas, this million-acre...

THIS IS #VERY #BADNEWS! #nomines #mining #opposition #PolyMetMine #environmental #activists #needed #spreadtheword #HR978 #VoteNoonHR978 #Minnesota #Minnesotawater #CleanWater #Water #Nibi #Mniwaconi #MiningAlwaysPollutes

www.friends-bwca.org/blog/the-bou...

Minnesota establishes Keep it Clean program to combat winter water pollution Legislature enacts Keep it Clean program to prevent ice pollution from human waste

Minnesota is taking a bold step to protect its pristine waters with the introduction of the "Keep it Clean" program, tackling pollution from winter recreational activities head-on.

Click to read more!

#MN #WinterRecreation #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaWater #EnvironmentalStewardship