February 21, 2005
Senator John Marty, Chair
Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee
323 Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Dear Senator Marty,
The League of Women Voters Minnesota (LWVMN) urges your support for SF762,
the Clean Water Legacy Act. This is a much-needed initiative to address the
deteriorating condition of Minnesota's rivers, streams and lakes. LWVMN recognizes
that Minnesota's natural resources are the foundation of the state's economy and
quality of life. We also recognize that all citizens contribute directly or
indirectly to the pollutants in our waters and that we should all share the costs
of water-quality testing, preparation of clean-up plans for polluted waters, implementation
of those plans, and protection of waters that are not polluted.
The MPCA and limited citizen water-monitoring programs have assessed only a small
percent of our rivers and lakes. Of the waters tested, many are in violation
of Clean Water Act standards - they are not fishable, swimmable or drinkable because
of excessive phosphorus, mercury and/or fecal coliform bacteria. These polluted
waters threaten human health as well as the recreational activities for which Minnesota
is famous.
The wanton discharges of our early industries have been halted and state and
federal law mostly control the direct discharge of many pollutants. However,
it is only through careful evaluation that the more complex "non-point" sources
can be identified and controlled or stopped.
In addition to expanding river and lake monitoring to identify polluted waters,
the Clean Water Legacy Act will assure the development and implementation of plans
to clean up polluted waters. It will also identify our highest quality rivers
and lakes and assure their protection.
Minnesota's water resources are under increasing pressure as our population expands.
We cannot afford to let deterioration continue; our health and economy depend upon
sparkling clear, unpolluted lakes and rivers. The League of Women Voters of
Minnesota is proud to support SF762 - it will benefit all
Minnesotans. We thank Senators Frederickson, D.E. Johnson, Hottinger, Higgens
and Dille for authoring this important bill and ask that the Senate Environment
and Natural Resources Committee approve it so that our children and grandchildren
will experience Minnesota truly as the "Land of Sky Blue Waters."
Sincerely,
Allene Moesler
Volunteer Lobbyist, League of Women Voters of Minnesota
| Cc: |
Senator Tom Saxhaug, Committee Vice Chair
Senator Pat Pariseau
Senator Thomas Bakk
Senator Satveer Chaudhary
Senator Dennis Fredrickson
Senator John Hottinger
Senator Michael Jungbauer
Senator Sean Nienow
Senator Gen Olson
Senator LeRoy Stumpf |
Other Public Statements:
