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Dayton administration to hold water quality town halls throughout state

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In February Governor Mark Dayton announced his goal to improve water quality in Minnesota by 25 percent by 2025. The “25 by 25” initiative is meant to engage citizens, local governments, scientists, environmental groups, business leaders, farmers and more to work collaboratively to address a wide variety of water quality challenges and accelerate the pace of progress in water quality improvements.

To launch 25 by 25, Governor Dayton and key members of his cabinet will be holding a series of town hall meetings throughout Minnesota to hear from Minnesotans about how to improve water quality locally. The meetings will offer opportunity to discuss the water quality challenges in a specific region, as well as speak with experts and engage with policymakers.

Town hall participants are encouraged to put forward ideas that could improve water quality in the region, discuss implementation barriers and highlight successful approaches that could be replicated state-wide or in other regions.

Although ag-related water quality challenges are likely part of the conversation, these town hall discussions are meant to craft a holistic approach in reaching the 25 by 25 goal, including improvements in industrial, municipal and residential practices.

For additional information on location and to download an information packet for each meeting, please click here. Each information packet is specific to the region the meeting is held.

  • Rochester – Monday, July 31 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Mankato – Wednesday, August 16 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Marshall – Thursday, August 17 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Crookston – Tuesday, September 5 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Cloud – Wednesday, September 6 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Ely – Tuesday, September 12 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Bemidji – Wednesday, September 13 – 6:30pm -8:30pm
  • Minneapolis – Tuesday, September 26 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Burnsville – Wednesday, October 4 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Stillwater – Thursday, October 5 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Each water quality town hall will have small group discussions. Participants will be asked to discuss the following questions:

  1. Please list your top-three ideas for a 25-percent improvement goal for your region. This discussion guide contains example goals on page 7.
  2. Please discuss with your group what actions you think are most important in helping to achieve the 25-percent improvement goals you listed in question one?
  3. Are there barriers to taking the actions you discussed in question two?
  4. Do you have additional input you would like to share about accelerating the pace of progress toward water quality improvement in Minnesota?

Farmers are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion to share information about conservation practices you are implementing on your farm and highlight participation in local efforts to improve water quality.

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