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    From Amber Waves to Muddy Waters

December 7, 2011

Special Report, Day 5: Alliances may move river cleanup forward

By Tim Krohn Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Protective buffers are rare, but coming

Few argue there are benefits to grass buffer strips alongside open drainage ditches. They filter out fertilizer and chemicals and can slow erosion and sediment getting into waterways.

But across the countryside there are very few of the recommended 16 1/2-foot strips of grass next to ditches.

That will begin to change as more counties begin taking an action that will trigger language in a state law requiring buffers.

Story: Carp defense not happening on Minnesota

Add giant flying carp to the list of potential dangers to the Minnesota River.

Intense efforts are under way to keep the invasive Asian carp out of Minnesota waters. The fish, which can reach monster size and some which jump into the air when startled, are moving up the Mississippi. State and federal officials, with a mandate by the Legislature, are devising plans to halt or at least slow their migration.

But some say the plans largely ignore keeping the carp out of the Minnesota River.

Story: Alliances may help move the river cleanup discussion

For the past year, a group of conservationists has been inviting farmers to “Friendship Tours” along the Minnesota River and down to Lake Pepin on the Mississippi.

The idea is simple: Get the two sides to talk to each other, find some common ground and lay the groundwork for a working relationship to help determine the problems of the Minnesota River and work together for solutions.

 This series can be downloaded by signing onto our replica e-edition of The Free Press.

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