"The industry does not need to use our future drinking water to wash sand," John Lenczewski, Mn state chapter of Trout Unlimited, testified at a Legislative listening session on the potential for frac sand mining regulation.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/192148131.html

Article on public testimony at a joint MN Senate & House hearing, on Feb. 20, 2013.  Local officials and citizens from SE Mn asked for state help to halt the expansion of industrial frac sand mining until more if known about the industry's effect on air, water, and public health.

http://www.startribune.com/local/191942801.html

Informative article in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/local/192783461.html#

'many regions in the state have reached the point where people are using water - and then sending it downstream - faster than the rain and snow can replensh it.'

Great graphics and and a cool interactive map.

A sobering reminder on why we need to take our groundwater extraction policies and actions very seriously - we could be screwing future generations out of the precious groundwater from deep aquifers that we take for granted.

From the publisher of 'Water Efficiency' and 'Stormwater Journal', comes the new "All One Water" newsletter. 

While this newsletter is aimed towards professionals in water related industries, organizations, and public agencies - it has great articles that cover a broad range, but interconnected grouping, of water-related issues.

Check it out here: http://www.allonewater.com/

"Conservation clearly is something that for a number of different reasons has been carried mostly by European Americans.  With demographic shifts, it's clear that if we don't get everyone concerned about the environment or at least educated about it, there's some risk of losing the gains we have made." - Dudley Edmundson a Duluth nature photographer and is the author of "Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places".

read more in this Star Tribune article:

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/173178281.html?page=all&prepage=2&c=y#continue

Eagan was praised for Energy Best Practices at a recent League of Minnesota Cities Conference.  The City of Eagan, with their Energy & Environment Commission, has joined other forward-thinking (and resource-aware) Minnesota cities in joining the Green Step Cities Program and analyzing and acting on projects and programs that save energy, money and enhance the community.

http://www.cityofeagan.com/live/news.aspx?id=51458

FYI - The City of Bloomington had initially joined the Green Step Cities program, but backed out.  The program seems to be working well in Eagan in focusing efforts and tracking benefits, as well as Edina.

Interesting article from Star Tribune, describing efforts to green up Cottage Grove public buildings:

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/159789675.html

Article from recent Star Tribune (with video) about coldwater-stream restoration, in eastern Bloomington:

http://www.startribune.com/local/157095415.html

Bush Lake Chapter members helped stock the stream with fingerling trout in 2007, and have also helped with other projects to protect this absolutely beautiful jewel.

Recent article in Star Tribune about Toro's new moisture sensor add-on for irrigation systems:

http://www.startribune.com/business/159239875.html

Bringing Down Roadblocks to Clean Water Protection

Another victory in December:  Stopping Congressional efforts to block the EPA's and the US Corps of Engineers' efforts to clarify Clean Water Act protections for wetlands and other threatened waters.

Read more here:  http://www.iwla.org/index.php?ht=display/ViewBloggerThread/i/22242