Forty-two years ago today, Wisconsin's Gaylord Nelson proclaimed April 22 as Earth Day, calling on Americans to harness the passion of the anti-Vietnam War movement to protect our water, air and land. That call to action resulted in 10,000 schools and 2,000 colleges responding with special classes and projects ranging from litter cleanups to tree plantings. Soon afterward the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Water Act, which became law with President Richard Nixon's signature.

In 1970, I was one of those inspired schoolboys participating in an Earth Day event, picking up litter in my local community of La Crescent in southeastern Minnesota. Motivated by the belief that one person can make a difference, I have since spent many years fighting to protect Minnesota lakes, rivers and streams; its wildlife habitat, and its forests and prairies.

Fortunately, I join many Minnesotans who truly value our outdoors: In 2008, more than 1.6 million Minnesotans voted to increase our sales taxes to provide additional funding for clean water, habitat, parks and culture. And as recently as January 2012, Minnesota Environmental Partnership's statewide polling showed that while 90 percent of Minnesotans were concerned about unemployment, 84 percent were also concerned about pollution in the Mississippi River.

But Minnesota's course is stalling; many elected officials no longer stand for what makes our state a great place to live, work and play. The past two legislative sessions have tempered our hopes that we'll leave a good environmental legacy for future generations and have instilled the fear that we're derailing the movement launched by Nelson and other Americans 40 years ago.

Here are three reasons to ring the alarm bell on Earth Day 2012:

• First, invasive species like milfoil, zebra mussels and Asian carp have infiltrated our waters, and our Legislature has been slow to respond -- despite Minnesota voters' strong will to take action. Our January poll showed 79 percent of Minnesota voters support establishing a small boat-license surcharge of $2 to $7 per year to fight invasive species. Yet, Gov. Mark Dayton's proposal to increase boat-license fees has fallen victim to legislative inaction and remains in limbo.

• Second, agricultural sediment is dirtying our rivers, but there is no viable plan in place to stop the pollution. In current state cleanup plans for the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, the great majority of the pollution has been identified as coming from agriculture. However, large farm operations have no clear timelines and outcome requirements for cleaning up this pollution -- only voluntary recommendations.

For the past 40 years, we have politely asked farm operators to stop corn and soybean production practices that result in farm runoff, but not much has changed in our lakes and rivers. Despite thoughtful action plans, such as the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework led by Deb Swackhamer at the University of Minnesota, no requirements are being implemented. Why? Elected officials are unwilling to step up and do what's right for the long-term health and vitality of our state.

•Third, our elected officials' actions show short-sighted disregard for protections. Minnesotans want and deserve jobs, but they do not want to endanger their health or the environment just to earn that paycheck. Our polling shows that 79 percent of Minnesota voters believe we can have a clean environment and a strong economy at the same time without having to choose one over the other.

However, some elected leaders are so intent on siding with business that they have exempted certain businesses and special interests from abiding by common-sense protections. One such exemption allows North Dakota's Spiritwood coal plant to import coal-fired electricity to Minnesota without having to reduce excess carbon pollution.

This trend of weakening and repealing laws is out of step with Minnesota voters' wishes. Our polling shows that two-thirds of Minnesota voters want tougher environmental regulations or better enforcement of existing regulations, not rollbacks.

But, Earth Day is a time to reflect, celebrate and take action. Today, I urge Minnesotans to go outdoors. Enjoy what this great state has to offer. Take note. Why do you live here? Do you value those days spent with family and friends at the cabin, hiking a trail, or dangling a fishing line in the water? If so, please take action. Contact your legislators and ask them what they will do to protect Minnesota's Great Outdoors, you, your children and grandchildren.

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Steve Morse is executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.