Sen. Kathleen Vinehout: “What can we do to protect our water?”

Over 70 percent of the earth’s surface is covered in water.
Scientists estimate somewhere between a half and three-quarters percent of all water on earth is liquid fresh water.
At the heart of the state’s water quality program is a permitting and inspection system that allows water discharge into our lakes, streams and rivers.
Inspections, reporting and enforcement actions impose the laws.
Two years ago, the Legislative Audit Bureau found that 94 percent of the time the Department of Natural Resources failed to take necessary action against industries and municipalities, which violates its own enforcement policies.
In a two-year period, only two out of 10 industries were inspected as required.
This lack of oversight meant DNR had no way of knowing or tracking problems.
However, problems in water quality and quantity exist across the state.
County conservation officers provide our front line for water protection.
For example, 10 years ago Minnesota passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to their state constitution.

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