“Water has to be a non-partisan life issue.”

​The League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region, in cooperation with 13 other organizations, sponsored a Community Water Conversation at Anoka Ramsey Community College on Tuesday, August 29.  About 75 people attended, including members of the public, water professionals and elected officials.  This meeting was part of the Governor’s series of meetings with Minnesotans on how to reduce water pollution by 25% by the year 2025.
 
After opening remarks by Bruce Bomier from the Environmental Resources Council, small groups were asked to identify their top priorities for water quality improvement and how those priorities could be achieved.   Reducing pollution and improving storm water practices were top priorities, along with improving environmental literacy and water education.   Thoughtful discussions lead to recommendations for action such as increased installation of storm water ponds and rain gardens, and development of water education curriculum for school children. 
​One small group suggested that Minnesota must “Set firm goals:

• Improve quality of water gardens by at least 25%
• Reduce number of trouble wells by 25%
• Capture 25% more rain water to recharge aquifers
• Increase number of leak detection technology for water mine pipes
• Reduce phosphorus levels by 25%
• Increase funding for storm water ponds by 25% to clean water”

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A recurring theme through the evening was the need for helping people to understand the value of water and the impacts that their decisions have on water quality; coupled with societal change in how water protection is viewed by the public.  For example, a small group recommended
“To develop an environmentally literate citizenry

• Start young – target youngest with hands-on, inquiry learning.  Incorporate environmental themes in science and other learning outcomes.  Develop continuity, not “everyone creates their own curriculum”.
• Empower groups like lake associations, community groups, river groups, etc – Give them a voice and process; help them work together.
• Professional development opportunities for groups with large water impact (farmers, parks, water treatment, industry) focused on how it can benefit them or work for them ($, time, etc.) vs “another regulation”.  “

​Another recommendation in this vein,
“Analyze where, when and who, then increase training and education for water systems and human impact.  Example: 

• Bump up school water education required standards (K-12)
• Train local and government agencies plus business owners on water strategies
• Support collaborative efforts for training on innovative green technologies affecting homeowners, businesses, cities
• Teach economic benefits of water education”

 
Participants also listed barriers to achieving the pollution reduction goals through the actions they had specified.  One group listed barriers to taking individual actions to improve water quality:

• Lack of education
• Fear of non-conformity
• Loss of profits
• Refusal to adapt to new practices
• Social and cultural values
• Specialized groups and their influence over mass audiences
• Selective media consumption

 
Insufficient funding and problems with government regulation were also listed as barriers. 
 
All group suggestions and comments were recorded and sent to the Governor’s office for inclusion in the water meetings database.  Anna Henderson, Water Advisor to Governor Mark Dayton was at the meeting.  According to Henderson, “Governor Dayton wants to hear from every Minnesotan on what water quality goals they want the state to focus on in their region and what they think needs to happen to achieve those goals. The Governor and key members of his Cabinet are travelling all over the state to host town halls, but not everyone can make a town hall or wants to be in such a large setting. That is why it is so important that groups like the League of Women Voters organize their own community water meetings. The room was full and the conversation was energized – it was exciting to be there and clear that people are engaged and full of great ideas. Thank you to the League of Women Voters for hosting this important conversation. It is up to all of us to work to improve Minnesota’s water quality for future generations to come.”
 
The League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region is a non-partisan organization aimed at protecting and improving water quality in the Mississippi River basin, from the Headwaters at Lake Itasca to southern Illinois.  This group is made up of 50 local member Leagues from throughout the basin, plus the state Leagues of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.  Other sponsoring organizations for this meeting included the Anoka Conservation District, the Anoka County Water Task Force, Anoka Ramsey Community College, Izaak Walton League Breckenridge Chapter, Blaine Natural Resources Conservation Board, Conservation Minnesota, Coon Rapids Rotary, Coon Rapids Sustainability Roundtable, Environmental Resources Council, Fridley Environmental Quality and Energy Commission, League of Women Voters ABC, Lower Rum River Water Management Organization and Rice Creek Watershed.