A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect Minnesota
By Steve Morse | Dakota, Minn.

I am writing in support of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. As a former state senator from the area, outdoors enthusiast and father, I want all Minnesotans to know about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vote on this very important constitutional question.

The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment will provide funding for what we love about living in Minnesota. It will help protect and restore our rivers, streams and groundwater; protect our land, fish, game and wildlife habitat; support arts education and access; and our parks and trails system. More details can be found at www.yesformn.org.
State funding for these important elements of our Minnesota way of life is at a 30-year low. People from all over the world choose to live in Minnesota because of the amenities this state offers. Visitors to Minnesota praise our state’s high quality of life, from bird watching to theatre performances. But we must invest today before it is too late.

Winona is home to some of the most beautiful natural areas in our state, and I would like to keep it that way. We have majestic bluffs that tower over the community. We also enjoy the best trout fishing in the state and abundant water resources. Our driftless area is a natural wonder that affords us unique opportunities not available elsewhere in Minnesota.

It is because we have so much to be thankful for that we have so much to lose. These natural assets will not and cannot be protected without investment. Minnesota is on pace to lose one million acres of natural areas in the next 25 years.

Forty percent of our tested lakes, rivers and streams are polluted. Right here in Winona, both the North and South bays of Winona Lake have been tested and found unsuitable for swimming or recreating. It has not been tested to see if the fish are safe, so we don’t know if we can eat the fish we catch from it (www.checkmylake.org).

These examples point to a larger problem. We are not investing in what has historically made this state a great place to live. We need to invest in what we value before it is too late.

I want my kids to enjoy the same opportunities that I did growing up, and passing this important amendment is an essential step to safeguarding that rich legacy.

I urge all voters to vote to protect what we value about living in Minnesota. By voting yes on the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment this fall, we can protect the Minnesota we love.

It’s the only viable option we have.

Morse is the executive director of Minnesota Environmental Partnership.

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