U.S. Water Alliance Discusses Nutrients in Mississippi River Watersheds

The U.S. Water Alliance convened a meeting of agriculture, water and environmental sector leaders at Wingspread in Racine, Wis., to plan a series of dialogues for increased collaboration to reduce excess nutrients in the Mississippi River.

“Nothing is more important right now than finding common ground to protect our water and grow food throughout the Mississippi River Basin,” said Ben Grumbles, president of the Alliance. “We have a unique opportunity to make real progress on nutrient pollution by building bridges between the people working the lands and managing the water and wastewater utilities. The U.S. Water Alliance is excited about the environmental possibilities when water, agriculture and conservation are united through innovation and collaboration.”

The initiative is being funded by a grant from The McKnight Foundation. Local, state and federal, public and private sector perspectives were all represented at the planning workshop.

The Alliance will organize up to five dialogues in the next 18 months to focus on opportunities that reduce excess nutrients for the health and wealth of the Mississippi River. Approximately 30 local leaders from the agriculture and water/wastewater operations communities will be identified and invited to participate in the educational series that will stimulate the discussion and lead to recommendations at the federal, state and local levels. In addition to McKnight, The Johnson Foundation, The Meridian Institute/AGree and The Sand County Foundation will support the effort.

Source: U.S. Water Alliance