Saturday, January 04, 2014

Federal Blueway Program Discontinued

The Department of Interior has discontinued the federal Blueway program.

The Minnesota River Clean Up Movement started with the grassroots and that still is where its strength lies.

Tremendous strides have been made and a statewide coalition has been formed and the work will continue.

We have seen government commitment wax and wane over the years, but the citizens who love this river remain.

The landowners and county governments and state agencies who care for the parks and the fields are still here.

The need to grow this coalition will not subside because the Secretary of Interior has made this decision to terminate the designation program.

The Minnesota River Watershed Alliance is still intact and it will continue to meet the way we always have for the past 8 years -- without a staff, without a budget, with multiple leaders who are motivated by their passion for the river and desire to creatively collaborate for its betterment.

We invite you to attend our next meeting coming up on Tuesday Jan 21 at 6 p.m. at the Ridgewater College Campus in Hutchinson MN.  We will gather to consider our options and come up with new ideas and initiatives like we always have -- and it will be fun!