Legislative forum will address health of lakes in Minnesota

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Minnesota Waters, a statewide non-profit citizens group that strives to protect and improve lakes and rivers, is partnering with the Pine River Watershed Alliance to present the fourth annual Healthy Lakes Legislative Forum on September 23 in Walker, Minnesota at the Northern Lights Convention Center from 2 to 5 p.m.

This year’s forum will once again feature Minnesota’s vital citizen-led efforts for lake and stream protection – and the steps legislators can take to best support these efforts at the Capitol. Citizen presenters from across the state will highlight pioneering projects that address: aquatic invasive species prevention and management; shoreland protection and regulations; water quality monitoring; and successful citizen-state partnerships that can lead to greater resource protection.

“Citizen leaders are the cornerstone of lake and stream protection in Minnesota. The Forum will feature the locally-led, innovative efforts that are leading the way to effective, long term protection for Minnesota’s lakes and streams," said Lois Sinn Lindquist, executive director, Minnesota Waters. “Minnesota Waters is pleased to help bring this message to our state legislators and to support their work at the Capitol for statewide lake and stream protection.”

Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair, Bill Ingebrigtsen, and House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee Chair, Denny McNamara will be in attendance. Governor Dayton and the agency Commissioners have been invited, and several regional legislators plan to attend.

Minnesota Waters and the Pine River Watershed Alliance invite all interested citizens and elected officials to attend the Legislative Forum and to help support our state’s valued citizen leaders working to protect Minnesota’s most prized natural assets. Contact your legislator to encourage their attendance and to remind them about the importance of these issues to all Minnesotans.

The Forum presentations will be followed by an informal reception to provide citizens an opportunity to talk with their legislators. The Forum is being hosted by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The entire event is open to the public and admission is free. Please contact Carrie Maurer-Ackerman at carriea@minnesotawaters.org or (218) 587-2980 if you have any questions.

Minnesota Waters believes an engaged citizenry will effectively protect and restore Minnesota’s irreplaceable natural assets -- clean and healthy lakes and streams -- for current and future generations. The non-profit organization provides issue advocacy, training, connections, and support to empower citizens and citizen-led groups to be active, effective advocates for Minnesota’s unique waterscape.

Tags: regional news, news, updates, lakes, environment