Read the full article by Kirsti Marohn (Minnesota Public Radio)
“More than two dozen projects to restore wildlife habitat or improve outdoor recreation will receive money from Minnesota’s 2018 settlement with 3M over PFAS, sometimes known as ‘forever chemicals.’
The projects include park improvements, fishing programs and stream restorations in the Twin Cities east metro and downstream areas of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. They’ll receive a total of $20 million.
PFAS — or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are human-made chemicals that resist breaking down in the environment. Studies have linked exposure to PFAS to several health problems, including kidney and thyroid disease, liver damage, low birth weight and cancer.
Decades ago, 3M disposed of chemical waste containing PFAS at several sites in the east Twin Cities metro, where they leached into groundwater, rivers and streams.
‘By restoring habitat and outdoor spaces that support both people and wildlife, these grant projects are an important step in mitigating that damage,’ said Katie Smith, an assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, during a media briefing announcing the grant funds on Wednesday.”…