WHITE EARTH — The White Earth Nation will join other tribal nations and environmental groups in a federal lawsuit defending a new Environmental Protection Agency rule mandating states to consider the treaty rights of water-dependent tribal nations.
The new EPA rule went into effect in June and set up a specific process for states to consider the vested rights of tribal members in water management decisions.
Attorneys general in a dozen states — including North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa — filed the lawsuit earlier this month, claiming the EPA’s rule oversteps its authority to administer the Clean Water Act.
The reserved rights of tribal members include the rights to hunt, fish and gather on ceded territories outside reservation boundaries, including wild rice waters off-reservation.
The new EPA rule now requires states to include tribal input on water management decisions on ceded territories.
“Our treaties are not just historical documents; they are living agreements that must be honored in today’s policies and practices,” said Michael Fairbanks, chairman of the White Earth Band, in a news release.
Funding for this environmental story was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
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Plus: Townships across Minnesota will host their annual meetings on March 10, 2026; the DNR is seeking input on proposed changes to Itasca State Park; and the Superior National Forest will host a Tofte Ranger District open house on March 12. -
Contributed/Lorie Shaull via FlickrForest staff will share information on upcoming road and trail construction, prescribed fire activities and recreation projects. -
Contributed/MN DNRThe DNR is proposing two sets of changes in Itasca State Park to expand overnight camping and winter recreation, as well as protect Lake Itasca's shoreline. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce's annual trip to St. Paul on March 5, 2026, included many first-time visitors who advocated on local issues. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEBeltrami County Emergency Management is seeking public input as it works to update its hazard mitigation plan for events like floods, drought and severe windstorms. -
Contributed/MN DNRPatrick McGowan joined four other conservation officers who were honored at a late February 2026 ceremony at Camp Ripley. -
News Director Chelsey Perkins catches up on what's happening in St. Paul with Report for Minnesota student journalists Abbey Mulcahy, Kendra Mobilia, Shay Scanlan and Eleanor Steffen.
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Events this week include an open house for Superior National Forest in Aurora and the start of a new season of Bemidji Adventures in Lifelong Learning. -
Kari Hedlund/KAXEEven though it's March, Minnesotans know that we could still see large amounts of snow. This week, we've been collecting stories about the ways snowstorms have affected you. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXENoska was nominated for North Star Student because of her amazing tennis career — and the fact she's got one more season of fun and achievement ahead of her.
