Protecting Our
Land, Lakes, and Rivers
Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but protecting our water, land, and wildlife has never been more urgent, not just here, but across the country. From toxic runoff to microplastic pollution, chronic wildlife disease to the degradation of public land, the systems meant to safeguard our environment are no longer keeping pace with modern threats. These are not just ecological issues; they are public health, economic, and generational challenges.
Clean Up Contaminated Waterways
More than half of Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and streams are now classified as impaired. They’re too polluted to swim in, fish from, or drink. But this problem isn’t unique to us. Across the U.S., contaminated water affects millions. Agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, aging wastewater systems, and chemical spills are all contributing to a nationwide decline in water quality.
Addressing this will take more than regulation. It will take investment. That means upgrading wastewater treatment infrastructure, especially in rural communities, enforcing modern discharge limits on industrial sites, and funding local watershed cleanups through proven programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Clean water is the foundation of public health, tourism, farming, and life itself.
Tackle the Growing Threat of Microplastics
Microplastics, particles smaller than 5mm, are now found in Minnesota’s lakes, our drinking water and even our bodies. These particles come from countless consumer products. They don’t break down, and they’re accumulating in fish, crops, and people.
We need to treat this emerging crisis seriously. That means funding microplastic detection and filtration systems at water treatment plants, supporting research into bio-based alternatives to petroleum plastics, and holding corporations accountable for the environmental cost of plastic-heavy production. Minnesota can be a national leader by piloting localized cleanup projects and advancing legislation that prioritizes sustainable packaging and environmental monitoring.
Confront the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological illness that is spreading quickly among deer populations with confirmed outbreaks in multiple Minnesota counties and growing hotspots across the country. Left unchecked, CWD threatens wildlife ecosystems, local hunting economies, and potentially public health.
To fight it, we need a full-scale, federally coordinated strategy that includes mandatory testing, strict containment around infected zones, and tighter regulations on captive deer operations, where many outbreaks begin. We must also prioritize funding for public research institutions and labs to study long-term impacts and solutions. Ignoring CWD could mean the collapse of deer populations in key regions and a deep blow to outdoor traditions in places like Minnesota, where hunting is part of the cultural fabric.
Restore Trust in Public Land Management
America’s public lands are increasingly treated as expendable. Under funding, mismanagement, and land sell-offs are degrading access, harming wildlife, and driving a wedge between Americans and the outdoors. In Minnesota, these lands support tourism, recreation, and conservation and they must remain protected for future generations.
We must stop the backdoor sale of public land to private developers and fully fund agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service to maintain trails, manage forests, and protect biodiversity. Conservation easements, when fair and voluntary, offer a sustainable way to keep land in productive hands while protecting open space. A healthy relationship between people and the land begins with good stewardship and lasting public access.
Treat Farmers as Partners in Conservation
Minnesota farmers are not the enemy of the environment, they’re key to preserving it. But current conservation programs are often geared toward massive corporate farms. Across the country, small and mid-sized producers face increasing pressure from environmental regulations without getting the tools they need to adapt.
We should expand and reform programs like EQIP and CSP to prioritize outcomes. That means simplifying application processes, supporting practices like cover cropping, rotational grazing, and buffer zones, and ensuring funding reaches family farms that actively protect water and soil. Farmers are natural stewards. The government should work with them, not against them.