The only political action committee focused on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers
Why donate to the MLR PAC?
The Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Political Action Committee (MLR PAC) is a bipartisan political action committee established in 2004 to support lake and river champions in local and state government. Our main priorities include protecting lakeshore, funding aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention, creating incentives for shoreline protection, reducing nutrient loading in our waterways, and improving the state’s water quality. In short, we support candidates who will protect Minnesota’s lake and river heritage for current and future generations.
The MLR PAC has three superpowers; 1) we are authentic. Our members are well-staked in the shared value of protecting the public good of clean and healthy waterways for future generations, 2) MLR lake advocates live and vote in every legislative district in the state, 3) A MN State Fair survey in 2025 found that over 90% of Minnesotans want to protect and restore our lakes and rivers.
The MLR PAC is one leg of a three legged advocacy stool: education, organizing, and political action.
Awareness
The Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Protection and Education (MLR P&E) funds education and communication. We build awareness. People care about things they understand. The deeper their knowledge, the deeper their commitment to the issue. MLR P&E is a fully tax-deductible nonprofit set up to receive tax-preferred giving strategies like Qualified Charitable Distributions, foundation grants, direct tax-deductible contributions or legacy gifts through wills, trusts, and estate planning. MLR P&E funds MLR webinars, the Water Connects Us All Newsletter, the Lake Steward, Stop Starry, and Civic Leadership Development programs.
Organizing
The Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates, (MLRA) is a nonprofit that organizes a base of active citizens to work through local, county, state agencies, and state governments to advance a pro-water agenda. MLRA employs a full time lobbyist and works to align policy, ordinances, laws, and funding streams to support Lake Associations and lake shore residents as they steward Minnesota’s most important resource: our lakes. MLRA is a 501c4 nonprofit funded almost entirely by annual membership contributions from individual Minnesotans and organizations. Contributions are not tax-preferred. Tax deductible nonprofits can contribute to or join MLRA without risking their IRS nonprofit status.
Political Action
The MLR PAC is a good investment in water. The combined work of MLR P&E and MLRA creates a climate for change that many other PACs do not have. The MLR PAC is bipartisan, based on grassroots energy, and authentic to the shared values of actual citizens. The MLR PAC leverages the awareness created by MLR P&E and the organizing infrastructure built by MLRA. The MLR PAC supports citizens running for elected office in Minnesota at ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. It is nonpartisan, supporting candidates who are actively working to promote Minnesota’s lake heritage.
Our Issues:
Lakeshore Property Taxes
Fair and balanced lakeshore policies help support local communities, protect clean water, preserve family cabins, and prevent overdevelopment that threatens Minnesota’s shorelines.
Natural Shorelines
Protecting and restoring natural shorelines is one of the most effective ways to improve water quality, preserve wildlife habitat, stabilize local tax base, and safeguard the long-term health of Minnesota waters.
Aquatic Invasive Species
Investing in aquatic invasive species prevention protects Minnesota’s $13.5 billion outdoor recreation economy while preserving access to clean, healthy lakes and rivers.
Water Quality
Stronger water monitoring, better data sharing, and transparent public reporting help communities make smarter decisions to protect local waters for future generations.
Funding Lake and River Management
Local communities and county partners are best positioned to address water challenges on the ground, which is why dedicated funding for local stewardship delivers lasting results for Minnesota lakes and rivers.
What Legislators Are Saying
"These folks are worth gold to you...because they have access to us, they come into our offices and tell us what the issues are. They’re golden."
~ Former Minnesota Senator John Carlson, (R)
"Jeff Forester, the Executive Director of MLR and his organization... played a crucial role in Saint Paul influencing lake policies. I really hope that you will help Jeff in his lobbying effort... contributing some money toward that cause."
~Former Rep. Dr. Darby Nelson (D)
Paid for and authorized by the Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Political Action Committee.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.