Water

Water shortages and problems around Minnesota — and the country — have many wondering what is the true cost of clean and reliable water. This reporting is supported in part by The Water Main, a project of American Public Media.

Report: Protecting Mississippi headwaters has big payoff
The report found that protecting about 200,000 acres in the watershed from development or conversion to farmland would cost $400 to $600 million, but it would yield nearly $500 million in direct and indirect economic benefits.
Army Corps of Engineers grants final permit for PolyMet mine
PolyMet Mining Corp. has received the final permit it needs to proceed with building Minnesota's first copper-nickel mine, the company and the Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday.
Great Lakes feeling the burn from climate change
The Great Lakes region is warming faster than the rest of the U.S., a trend likely to bring more extreme storms while also degrading water quality, worsening erosion and posing tougher challenges for farming, an environmental advocacy group said Thursday.
Wright County adds more lakes to boat inspection pilot program
A closely watched pilot program aimed at stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species requires boaters to stop at a regional inspection station before entering certain lakes. The original pilot included three lakes. It will be expanded to include six more.
UN: Environment is deadly, worsening mess, but not hopeless
The report concludes "unsustainable human activities globally have degraded the Earth's ecosystems, endangering the ecological foundations of society." But it also says changes in the way the world eats, buys things, gets its energy and handles its waste could help fix the problems.
Scientists say there's still time to save Minnesota from invasive wetland plant
A fast-growing invasive grass is spreading across Minnesota in wetlands and along lakes and rivers. Scientists say there's still time to control the plant before it causes serious environmental damage.