Do you know about the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that we will be voting on in the Nov. 4 ballot? A few folks, such as previous Republican Sen. Rod Grams, misleadingly call it a pot of money for special-interest groups to play with. Nothing could be further from the truth, unless of course you consider yourself and our kids and grandchildren as special-interest groups.

What Sen. Grams refuses to mention is that of Minnesota’s tested waters 40 percent are listed as impaired or polluted. The Minnesota Legislature refuses to fund the necessary dollars to clean things up. In fact, Minnesota is at a 30-year low in conservation funding from the Legislature with no evidence of any political will by politicians to correct it. While no one likes taxes, without this amendment Minnesota’s natural resources will be in very serious trouble.

I care about clean water to drink, and clean lakes and streams to swim in, and plentiful game and fish to pursue. I care about what of Minnesota’s natural resources will be available for my children’s children to enjoy and take care of. I care about the present and the future. So, I plan to vote yes on Nov. 4. I urge you to do the same.

Unfortunately, nearly 50 percent of Minnesota residents still do not realize that they will be asked to vote on the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment on Nov. 4, or that if they leave the box blank the state will count their vote as a “no” vote. So, if you feel like me, if you care about the future of Minnesota’s natural resources and agree that this is an investment worth paying for, please talk to your neighbors, friends and family. Vote for the Minnesota you love. Vote yes on Nov. 4 and urge others to also vote yes.

Mark William Johnson

executive director

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association

Grand Rapids