In the Media

FMR is proud to serve as the voice for the Mississippi River and the people who care about it — at the Capitol, in our communities and in the media. Many thanks to the reporters who take the time to cover important river issues.

Longfellow Nokomis Messenger ― October 31, 2019
by Margie O'Loughlin
Ford Motor Company's toxic waste dump on the St. Paul river floodplain, known as Area C, is gaining more attention. As community awareness grows, so does pressure on Ford and state agencies to study the dumpsite more closely to consider cleanup options. Executive Director Whitney Clark is quoted.
Star Tribune ― October 20, 2019
by Erin Adler
We found the federally endangered Minnesota state bee on FMR-restored bluffland at Pine Bend Bluffs in Inver Grove Heights, a positive sign for habitat. FMR ecologist Karen Schik quoted.
Star Tribune ― October 12, 2019
by Greg Stanley
Pheasant numbers are declining in Minnesota as more and more habitat is converted back to farmland and out of the Conservation Reserve Program. The program wouldn't be able to give us the significant and permanent gains for water quality, soil health and habitat that we need in the long-run. Water Program Director Trevor Russell advocates instead for a transition to a market that demands more continuous vegetation on the landscape. (Republished in Telegraph Herald.)
Star Tribune ― October 4, 2019
by Greg Stanley
Along with other wildlife and environmental groups, we’ve signed on to a petition of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to require non-lead ammunition and to ban lead jigs and tackle in lakes with nesting loons.
(Also republished by The Bakersfield Californian, The Lewiston Tribune, MyWave, NWCable, and Rome News Tribune.)
Star Tribune ― September 13, 2019
by Janet Moore
The riverfront north of St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis is changing rapidly. In this Star Tribune feature, Janet Moore quickly covers this transformation through a transportation lens and highlights a key piece of this rapidly shifting riverfront the city of Minneapolis’s former port, a.k.a. the Upper Harbor Terminal. FMR River Corridor Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman is quoted.
Star Tribune ― September 2, 2019
by Jennifer Bjorhus
The state has a new $360 million plan to turn things around for the Minnesota River and cut the river's sediment levels in half. Will it be enough? Our water program director Trevor Russell talks to the Star Tribune about how a shift in farming could help us get there.
Star Tribune ― August 31, 2019
by Shannon Prather
The Army Corps of Engineers has built over 25 islands on the river and wants to make seven more in the Pig's Eye backwaters. Built from dredge material, these islands would create shoreline habitat for birds, fish, otters and more. Some are calling for more public input opportunities and more study, but we're hopeful about the project's potential for wildlife. FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark quoted.
Northeaster ― June 25, 2019
by Alex Schlee
On June 11, we installed a demonstration prairie at Nicollet Island. This article overviews the whole restoration project and highlights our volunteers. FMR ecologist Alex Roth quoted.
Star Tribune ― June 8, 2019
by Jennifer Bjorhus
Minnesota’s leaders are taking action to fix one of our biggest public health problems: drinking water polluted by farm fertilizers. A new Minnesota Department of Agriculture rule will limit the use of nitrogen fertilizer in vulnerable areas of the state, with the goal of reducing the amount of dangerous nitrates that infiltrate our waterways and put human health and aquatic life at risk. But a quarter of the state draws water from private wells that aren't helped by the plan. We'll still need more comprehensive solutions, like clean-water crop diversification, if we want every Minnesotan to have clean drinking water says FMR Water Program Director Trevor Russell, quoted in the article.
The Villager ― June 4, 2019
Friends of river oppose senior housing plan along Lilydale bluffs
by Kevin Driscoll

Lilydale considers a plan that would turn the site of the old Moose Country bar and River Bluffs Center into senior housing that's too close to the bluff edge and too tall. FMR River Corridor Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman quoted. (Article not available online.)

Hastings Star Gazette ― May 29, 2019
by Ellen Rogers
Vermillion River Linear Park is a 60-acre prairie in the heart of Hastings that FMR has worked with students for years to restore. Hastings high schoolers wanted to make sure passersby knew about the boon to wildlife and water quality right in their backyard.
Pioneer Press ― May 25, 2019
by Frederick Melo
Developer Ryan Swingruber proposes turning Island Station's former coal-based power plant into apartments with public river access. FMR River Corridor Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman is quoted affirming our appreciation of the river access components of the plan.
Pioneer Press ― May 20, 2019
by Nick Ferraro
Lilydale is considering a plan that would turn the site of the old Moose Country bar and River Bluffs Center into senior housing. But the new development would be too close to the river bluff's edge and too tall to maintain a scenic river view. The Pioneer Press spoke with River Corridor Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman about FMR's concerns.
Star Tribune ― May 16, 2019
by Shannon Prather
The West Side trail that leads from the river bluffs to Lilydale Park may finally reopen. As they restore the trail, St. Paul Parks and Recreation wants to balance access and safety, given the potential for landslides. To make the slope trail safer, they’ve planted native grasses, placed erosion blankets and enhanced signage. Executive Director Whitney Clark is quoted.
MinnPost ― May 15, 2019
by Jessica Lee
Upper Harbor Terminal developer United Properties' partner Thor Construction is closing its doors. What does this mean for the current development plan on the river in Minneapolis? FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark and others think it won't change the current trajectory.

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