With this hot summer weather, you can bet many Minnesotans are flocking to North Shore beaches along the beautiful Lake Superior. I was concerned in a recent annual water quality report (Testing the Waters 2012 by NDRC) that the number of beach closings on the North Shore doubled from 61 days to 121 days this year. However, I was relieved to learn the findings do not necessarily suggest dirtier beaches, but instead, increased monitoring and notification to the public. In fact, two of Minnesota’s North Shore beaches, Park Point Franklin Park and Lafayette Community Club Beach, were given the highest rating a beach can receive in the report.
All our beaches should be clean, and Minnesotans should be able to enjoy them without worrying that swimming at these places will make us sick. Public notification of risks is good, but we need to reduce the pollution that still plagues too many of our beaches.
The Obama Administration is considering important action to restore Clean Water Act protections to many waterways across the state, and that’s an important step. The Environmental Protection Agency also should work to cut sewage overflows and runoff pollution from urban areas. As this important work goes forward, Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation should not hamper these clean water efforts. Furthermore, I urge Minnesota’s senators to oppose any attempts to roll back or block clean water protections for our waterways.
I hope Senators Franken and Klobuchar will oppose any attempts to roll back or block clean water protections for our waterways and let Minnesotans keep getting out to the beaches we all love.
Lindsey Wilson
Intern, Environment Minnesota and
College of Saint Benedict Student
Red Wing, MN
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