Great Lakes advocates from across Minnesota braved storms and rain and snow to get to Washington, DC in early March for 2013 Great Lakes Days. Snows in Minnesota and around the Washington, DC area did not deter the hardy group that made it to this annual event hosted by the Healing Our Waters–Great Lakes Coalition. Clean Water Action and other Great Lakes supporters from across the basin met with Members of Congress, urging them to maintain support for federal Great Lakes restoration and protection efforts.

In meetings with staff from each of Minnesota’s Representatives and Senators, Great Lakes supporters called for:

By Deanna White

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

This is the time of year when thoughts turn to spring… even with the possibility we might see more snow. For many, spring means Earth Day — the annual celebration of environmental protections.

This Earth Day, I hope we will have much to celebrate. Votes in the Minnesota Legislature will determine the fate of a number of bills that could have a huge impact on our environment and public health.

With the Minnesota Legislature well underway, Clean Water Action is working overtime to pass new measures to protect Minnesotans’ water and health. The biggest push this year is for laws to protect children from toxic chemicals in the products they use every day.

Two of Clean Water Action’s priorities are bills to ban bisphenol-A (BPA) in children’s food packaging and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in children’s personal care products. BPA is a known hormone disruptor, and formaldehyde can cause asthma and other respiratory problems. Both bills have already passed through several State Senate and House committees over the past two weeks.