Environmental News

MPR News is your source for environment news from Minnesota and across the country.

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Leech Lake leaders want to halt fishing protest
Leaders on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation say they will work to resolve differences over treaty rights through conversation with state officials and diplomacy, instead of a demonstration before the state's fishing opener next month.
John Latimer hosts "The Phenology Show" on KAXE radio in Grand Rapids. Phenology is the study of how climate affects plants and animals, so he keeps track of how the trees and critters around him are changing all year round.
The U.S. Forest Service has closed a rugged hiking trail through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area due to the very high fire danger in northern Minnesota.
Study finds levels of pharmaceuticals in wastewater widespread
In the most comprehensive study of a variety of chemical compounds coming from municipal sewage plants, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency confirmed widespread, but low concentrations of water contamination from human medications and antibiotics.
A group of Leech Lake and White Earth Ojibwe tribal members plans to illegally go fishing on the shore of Lake Bemidji the day before next month's fishing opener. They are making the move to assert rights they say they have under treaties signed with the federal government.
Campfires will soon be banned in Minnesota's national forests as the wildfire danger remains high across the northern half of the state.
40th anniversary of Earth Day
The Dean of Minnesota's environmentalists reflects on the major environmental issues faced in April 1970 compared to today. Are things better or worse? Have new problems emerged?
On Thursday, 40 years after that first Earth Day in 1970, smog levels nationwide have dropped by about a quarter, and lead levels in the air are down more than 90 percent. Formerly fetid lakes and burning rivers are now open to swimmers. The challenges to the planet today are largely invisible - and therefore tougher to tackle.