Goals > Goal 14

Goal 14: Life Below Water

Goal 14: Life Below Water

Conserve and sustainably use aquatic resources for sustainable development.

Our planning services always focus on enhancing the triple bottom line: People, Planet, and shared Prosperity. This is also reflected in the 2022-2026 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, specifically the strategies identified under Resilient Infrastructure and Parks and Recreation.

We support community funds in their pursuit of their local and global goals.

  • Organize cleanup projects for rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
  • Use less. Turn off water while brushing your teeth, run full loads of laundry, and keep a pitcher in the refrigerator rather than running the tap until it’s cold. The less water we put through the waste-water system, the more stays clean!
  • Naturalize your wardrobe. Synthetic fibers, especially fleece, are doubly harmful. When those fabrics go through the wash, microplastic fibers are released (think lint) and go into our water systems. Also, most textiles are produced in countries without environmental protections and are the second-largest polluting industry in the world after oil and gas. As you replace items in your wardrobe, choose plant-based fibers like cotton and linen.
  • Don’t buy bottled water. Physicians have noticed an increase in the amount of microplastics within the human body. Though there are many potential causes, bottled water is the most direct connection.
  • Fish responsibly. The DNR posts fish species limits on paper, online, and with signage at each lake’s public access. These limits are based on each lake’s population and ecology.
  • Dispose of contaminates appropriately. Expired and unused medication, motor oil, paint, even cooking grease should stay out of your drains, toilets, and yards so it doesn’t make its way into the ground water.

Explore the map below: More indicators are available to view by expanding that menu at the left. Click on each county to see the data for each indicator.

This information was made available through a partnership with U-Spatial, a department of the University of Minnesota.

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Related Metrics and Progress for: All West Central Minnesota Counties

Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 14: Life Below Water
1.87 average meters of water clarity in area lakes
On Track