East Twin Cities

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus, a binational nonpartisan organization, has selected Sen. Carrie Ruud to represent Minnesota in the organization's 2021-2022 term.

The caucus provides a forum for the exchange of information that impacts the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region. Eight states and two Canadian provinces in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region are represented on the Executive Committee. Ruud has been a member of the Caucus since 2013 and replaces Rep. Jennifer Schulz who was elected vice chair, according to Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus.

The organization's agenda, adopted in 2018, focuses on water consumption, aquatic invasive species, toxic substances, nutrient pollution and coastal communities. Some of the action items include ensuring the safety and affordability of drinking water, improving infrastructure to reduce nutrient runoff and supporting the restoration and preservation of habitat in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence coastal communities.

In 2020, caucus task forces focused on reducing exposure to lead in drinking water and addressing nutrient pollution. In 2021, the focus will be helping communities become climate resilient.