April 8, 2025

Keeping up with all of the important opportunities to advocate for protection of coldwater fisheries is nearly impossible right now with attacks on our natural resources coming at all levels of government. It’s important to continue speaking up against legislation that will impact what you hold dear, as well as say thank you and cheer on our elected officials that continue to champion the issues are important to protecting our trout streams today and for future generations. Here are a few ways you can make a difference this month.

ACTION 1

CONTINUE TO PROTECT LAKE SUPERIOR FROM SEA LAMPREY

In February a critical number of federal employees who implement sea lamprey control measures on the ground were terminated by indiscriminate firings.  The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission contracts with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other federal agencies to do the work on the ground needed to effectively control sea lamprey.  Without sea lamprey control the fabulous lake trout, steelhead and salmon fisheries of Lake Superior and the Great Lakes will decline and crash. The firings left too few staff to do the necessary work.  The re-hiring of terminated employees was recently authorized, but there is ongoing concern that these threats to Great Lakes fisheries and the ensuing chaos, may not be over.  We can anticipate more of these shortsighted decisions in the future.

Please contact Congressman Tom Emmer, (202) 225-2331,and your own Congressperson (find them here), as well as Senators Klobuchar (202-224-3244) and Smith ((202) 224-5641).  Tell them:

• I am a trout angler from [insert town], Minnesota and I am concerned about the recent cuts to the Great Lakes Commission impacting sea lamprey control efforts.
• Please reach out to the Trump Administration and ask that they immediately reverse and restore any cuts to the lamprey control program, and ensure this program is protected from any such actions in the future.
• The sport fishing industry contributes $5.1Billion annually. The time to treat the streams to control tomorrow’s lamprey is now.  Any delay will result in a missed opportunity and far greater future costs and staffing needs to control an expanding population of lamprey across the Great Lakes.
• This program and these dedicated staff are too valuable to lose and are critical to the health of the Great Lakes. Thank you.

ACTION 2

REIGN IN DATA CENTER’S USE OF COLD WATER

Data centers have been in the news of late. While they are being framed as economic catalysts for communities, they also require mass amounts of energy to power and water for cooling.  Groundwater and surface waters are closely connected in the case of trout streams. Groundwater is consistently cold and its flow into trout streams through natural springs is what makes trout streams cold enough to support trout. Unfortunately, proposers of data centers view cold groundwater as a cheap way to cool data centers. For example, a proposal in Farmington would double the City’s pumping of groundwater from the shallow aquifers that also support the Vermillion River trout fishery. The map show in this is article shows other proposed sites in prime trout stream country. Last week Representative Fischer introduced HF 3007 that requires a preapplication permit for large water appropriations – more than 250,000 gallons per day or 100 Million gallons per year – and requires an EIS for any data center proposal. Companion bill SF 3320 was also introduced in the Senate

Please contact members of the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee to express your support for this bill. Please share:

• I am a trout angler from [insert town], Minnesota and I am concerned about the impact data centers will have on Minnesota’s precious trout streams.
• I am asking you to support SF 3320 which will require a preapplication permit for large water appropriation projects -more than 250,000 gallons per day or 100 Million gallons per year – and requires an EIS for any data center proposal.
• Trout fishing in Minnesota generates $1Billion in economic impact annually. Ensuring a steady supply of cold groundwater is essential to preserve these treasures. Thank you.

ACTION 3

SAVE THE DATE FOR EARTH DAY AT THE CAPITOL, APRIL 22

Show how much you care for the earth by showing up at the Capitol on Earth Day to join with other environmental organizations and individuals that value Minnesota’s natural world and all it has to offer. Planning has begun, but the celebration will be in the afternoon. Stay tuned for details and sign up for our action alerts!