The Northern Water Alliance of Minnesota and the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation are hosting its first "Water Conversation" at the Union Congregational Church in Hackensack.
The conversation will be 9-11 a.m. Monday at the church, 401 Lake Ave.
This will be the first of many planned conversations. The topic Monday will focus on pipelines and northern waters.
"We know folks find it hard to get straight answers and candid discussions about the challenging issues relating to water-whether it's pipeline routes, ongoing aquatic invasive species strategies, protection of our wild rice, or threats to our drinking water," stated Mary Ackerman, one of the founders of the alliance, in a news release. "We hope by bringing several of the organizations currently engaged in challenging the pipeline routes together with concerned citizens, we can find ways to amplify our voices on behalf of our northern waters."
Tom Watson, president of the Whitefish Area Property Owners Association, observed in the release: "Water sustainability involves managing our activities so they do not harm ecosystems, degrade water quality, nor compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We know-and the data supports-the fact that water quality on our lakes is deteriorating from poor land use decisions, poor septic systems, unfiltered roadway drainage and overuse at present. We face the future threat of oil pipeline construction and pipeline spills.
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"This 'Water Conversation' will provide an opportunity to begin to assess the present state and trends of our water resources, consider new policies, assess revisions to present laws and rules, engage local governments and lake groups, and encourage acceptance by Minnesotans of possible changes that are imperative for a sustainable economy and quality of life."
Come and hear from several nonprofit organizations working to protect waters from pipeline routes that may harm the area's lakes, rivers and wetlands.
Discussion topics will include:
• Economic realities of northern Minnesota and potential impacts of pipelines,
• Rail traffic versus pipelines,
• Current updates on the Sandpiper and Line 3 replacement process,
• Alternative routes,
• How people can stay informed and act.
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For more information, contact the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation at 218-675-5773 or at info@leechlakewatershed.org .
