At the end of a perfect day of fishing on one of Minnesota’s lakes, I was reminded of the rich natural heritage of our state. Our lakes and rivers are the envy of the country. We Minnesotans have a history of protecting the water that is so dear to us. Countless local efforts have recently been boosted by a statewide conservation amendment that is now steering over a hundred million annually into protecting and cleaning up Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams. We know that clean water is our lifeblood. It’s our economy, our leisure, our way of life.
Now the Obama Administration has a plan to help statewide conservation efforts. It’s called America’s Great Outdoors and its first goal is to collect input from around the county on what our priorities are.
In Minnesota we have effective efforts to get people out fishing on our lakes and rivers: Take a Kid Fishing and Let’s Go Fishing are just a few examples. Citizen-led efforts like River Watch and Star Lakes have engaged thousands of Minnesotans to monitor and clean up our waters. We have much work to do, not only to protect our lakes and rivers, but also to get children out enjoying the outdoors. Theywill be healthier and will become the ones to protect Minnesota’s natural clean water heritage when you and I are gone.
Please take a minute to share your experiences, priorities and ideas with the Obama Administration. Tell them what spending time on our lakes and rivers means to you. What are your success stories? What hopes and plans does your community have to further protect our lakes and rivers? How can we get more children out enjoying Minnesotas natural heritage? One idea is to create a national Blue Highways initiative. Historically Minnesotan’s have used waterways for travel, to drink and fishin. Thisnational initiative would provide federal assistance to efforts underway in Minnesota, making our work and dollars go further. It would also connect efforts with those up-and downstream from Minnesota.
Share your ideas on the Great Outdoors website: www.doi.gov/ americasgreatoutdoors
Frank Moe
Conservation Minnesota
Voter Fund Board Member
Former Member Minnesota
House of Representatives
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