Freshwater Voices: Read the New Edition!
Learn all about the 2025 Freshwater Heroes in the newest edition of Freshwater Future’s newsletter!
Sulfide Mining and the Great Lakes: Issue Update and New Resource
Several proposed mining developments near Lake Superior continue to push ahead, such as the Polymet/New Range mine in Minnesota and the Copperwood Mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Copperwood Mine was prevented from securing state funding three times over the last several years, thanks to the hard work of our partner, Protect the Porkies, and many of you who spoke up. Now they are concerned about the risks to local wildlife if the State of Michigan renews its wastewater discharge permit.
Community voices and action have been critical for protecting waters from mining here in the Great Lakes. If mining interests threaten your area and local waters, Freshwater Future is here to help. Freshwater Future’s new Guide to Sulfide Mining Laws: Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan provides an overview on mining permitting across these three states. The summaries are intended to guide communities concerned about existing or proposed mining development by identifying opportunities to participate in public processes related to enforcement and permitting.
Relax with Mindfulness and Movement
All are invited to this free, 45-minute guided session with Jonathan Relucio, an expert with over 20 years of experience. Join us to relax and restore each month, and please invite others! Can’t join? Registrants can access past session recordings here – contact info@freshwaterfuture.org for the password.
Next Week! Wednesday June 10 | 11:30 am – 12:15 pm ET
Wednesday July 15 | 11:30 am – 12:15 pm ET
Basics of Nonprofit Financial Tracking
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
Join us to learn the basics of managing your nonprofit’s finances on Tuesday, June 30th, at Noon ET. This online session will review terminology and tips to help you track your income and expenses. Register for this practical and informative session today! Please note that we are no longer recording online events due to security concerns.
Check out our current Take Actions: Together, Our Voices Make a Difference
Pennsylvania Residents: Urge your State Representatives to Support Public and Affordable Water
Pennsylvania residents – Urge your state legislators to pass the Public Water Protection and Fair Utility Transition Act to support affordable water! This law would repeal the decade-old law that kick-started the corporate takeover of public drinking water and wastewater systems. It is an important first step to slow down the private takeover of public water utilities. When water systems are privatized, customers’ water bills significantly increase while the shareholders of these for-profit water systems make huge profits. Ensure this bill gets a vote and passes – send a quick message today with this form!
Michigan Residents: There’s Still Time to Oppose the Dam Sale
Consumer’s Energy, a major energy utility in Michigan, wants to sell all 13 of its unprofitable in-state hydropower dams for just $13. Communities around these dams, ratepayers, and Michigan taxpayers will ultimately be on the hook for increased rates and any damage resulting from failure of these aging, costly dams.
All Michiganders have the opportunity to use their voice right now and ask the state regulator to oppose this sale. Freshwater Future has prepared instructions and talking points to help residents submit comments directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Submit your comment as soon as possible; no deadline has been set and the docket is expected to close soon.
Minnesota Wants to Get Lead Pipes Out, but Limits Funds for Communities
The state of Minnesota wants lead drinking water pipes to be replaced by 2033, but the legislature just limited new funding to only $15 million, or 1.5%, of the funds needed to meet that goal. Replacing all lead pipes as soon as possible is critical because no amount of lead is safe, yet communities cannot do so without sustained and robust state and federal funding. Freshwater Future is advocating for continued and robust federal funding for lead service line replacements to ensure local communities can afford them.
