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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.

Judge rejects change to Minnesota's wild rice water standard

Judge rejects change to Minnesota's wild rice water standard

An administrative law judge has rejected an attempt to change Minnesota's water quality standard for protecting wild rice, saying it violates federal and state law and puts an unfair burden on Native Americans who harvest wild rice for food.
by Dan Kraker

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Facing massive storm costs, how resilient is the insurance industry?

Facing massive storm costs, how resilient is the insurance industry?

The cost of storms fueled by climate change exceeded $300 million last year. We discuss what that means for the insurance industry, plus the implications of too much winter salt and how the media fails to attribute climate change to extreme weather.
by Paul Huttner

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Study finds salty cocktail changing pH of freshwater rivers

Study finds salty cocktail changing pH of freshwater rivers

A study out this week shows that rivers in the upper Midwest --particularly North Dakota -- are becoming saltier faster than the rest of the country. Yes, saltier.
by Cathy Wurzer and Max Nesterak

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Shingle Creek's cautionary tale for Minnesota's water

Shingle Creek's cautionary tale for Minnesota's water

Road salt is likely responsible for impairing 50 bodies of water in Minnesota. Looking at the first stream on that list shows how tough it is to reverse pollution from chloride.
by Kirsti Marohn

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State to deny water pollution waiver for Minntac mine

State to deny water pollution waiver for Minntac mine

U.S. Steel had asked for a 20-year variance from water quality standards for sulfate and other pollutants in water from its massive tailings basin that seeps into groundwater and nearby streams at its Mountain Iron facilities.
by Dan Kraker

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PolyMet is nearly clear to build controversial Iron Range mine

PolyMet is nearly clear to build controversial Iron Range mine

The DNR has released a draft mining permit for PolyMet to build the state's first copper-nickel mine. But the company still faces hurdles, including more anticipated lawsuits, and raising an estimated $650 million to build the mine.
by Dan Kraker

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Calif. says Nestle lacks permits to extract millions of gallons of water

Calif. says Nestle lacks permits to extract millions of gallons of water

California regulators say Nestle lacks the legal permits for millions of gallons of water it extracts from the San Bernardino National Forest and sells under the Arrowhead brand.

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Ground Level: What's 1 thing you want changed in Minnesota in 2018?

Ground Level: What's 1 thing you want changed in Minnesota in 2018?

Governmental policies, health care, education and roads, roads, roads! These are just a few things Minnesotans said they'd like to see improve in the state according to a recent Ground Level survey.
by Sara Porter

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'Dead fish or dead people?' The challenges of curbing road salt use

'Dead fish or dead people?' The challenges of curbing road salt use

Winter maintenance leaders are realizing the environmental effects of using too much road salt, but it's difficult and costly for them to make changes to longstanding practices.
by Max Nesterak

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