White Bear Lake has roots in the legends and lives of indigenous people, tales of European settlers arriving in the 1800’s, and citations in books by Mark Twain and F. Scott Fitzgerald. White Bear Lake has a storied legacy and a special place in Minnesota history.

White Bear Lake remains a state wide destination for recreation, wildlife habitat, water sports of all kinds, and a quiet space for moments of relaxation and reflection along its shoreline. White Bear Lake has a special place in the hearts of all who visit its shores.

Today, however, White Bear Lake is a treasured natural resource in peril. Diminishing water levels jeopardize the recreational and aesthetic value of this storied lake. Scientific studies of White Bear Lake prove its water levels are affected by precipitation and high capacity municipal ground water pumping by communities around the lake for miles. High capacity municipal pumping is permitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR). It is draining not only White Bear Lake, but also the Prairie du Chien aquifer below, signaling a region-wide water issue created by poor DNR permitting and water supply policies.

The White Bear Lake Restoration Association’s (WBLRA) sole purpose is to protect and preserve White Bear Lake now and into the future! You can help save White Bear Lake by joining WBLRA today! Membership is free but important! It demonstrates your commitment and support of a vital and enduring White Bear Lake to the DNR and state policy makers in the Minnesota Legislature. We need to speak up for our natural resources and let agencies know White Bear Lake is treasured and worth saving!

DONATE HERE!

Make a tax deductible gift to WBLRA to support the battle to save and protect White Bear Lake!

WBLRA Ongoing Campaign

In 2012, with ever declining White Bear Lake water levels, a group of concerned citizens formed the non-profit White Bear Lake Restoration Association (WBLRA). The sole goal of WBLRA is to protect White Bear Lake from further degradation due to low water levels and ensure its vitality for generations to come. Undisputed science from major studies commissioned by the DNR in 1998, 2004, 2011 and 2016 all confirm high capacity municipal water pumping has a direct and material impact on the water levels of White Bear Lake. Despite overwhelming evidence, the DNR did not change its ways.

In order to pay for ongoing litigation costs and expert witness fees, WBLRA raised over $400,000 from members and friends of White Bear Lake to bring the DNR to trial. Donations from all over the country helped WBLRA get its day in court for the month of March 2017.

In August 2017 Ramsey County Judge Marinnan’s decision was a resounding David vs. Goliath victory for WBLRA and its members!

White Bear homeowners win suit against DNR over lake levels; ruling could spell big changes

Judge Rules Against State in White Bear Lake Case – Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 31, 2017

However, late in 2017, the MN DNR filed an appeal against Judge Marrinan’s decision. Court proceedings on the appeal begin in January 2018. So the buttle continues and WBLRA is in it for the long haul. Are you?

DNR Appeals White Bear Lake Lawsuit Ruling – White Bear Press, Oct. 4, 2017

Please join as a Member of WBLRA to demonstrate your support of a healthy and vital WBLRA!

DONATE HERE!

WBLRA TEAM

WBLRA is fueled by the great support from our Members and the finest legal experts in the country alongside us in the ongoing fight to save White Bear Lake.

Our membership count is 1007 and represents people living a block away from White Bear Lake to folks all around the country who have a special place for the lake in their hearts.

Donations from big to small helped pay for court and expert witness costs during the trial, but with the appeal beginning in 2018, our work is not done yet!

Join WBLRA and its partners by becoming a member and if you can make a donation to protect White Bear Lake now and into the future!

Board Members

Greg McNeely, president

Brian McGoldrick, treasurer

Shannon Whitaker

Jim Markoe

Ron Trach

Eric Ordway

Aligned Organizations

White Bear Lake Home Owners Association (WBLHOA)

Friends of White Bear Lake (FOWBL)

WBLRA in the news…

DNR tells municipalities water could be scarce – White Bear Press, Feb 16, 2022

Appeals court sides with lake restoration group, White Bear Press, Jan 13, 2021

Attorneys in White Bear Lake level case argue before Supreme Court, White Bear Press, Jan 15, 2020

Lakeville railroad proposes drilling wells and shipping Minnesota 500 million gallons of water a year to the southwest, Minnesota Star Tribune,  Oct 31, 2019

Lawsuit targets development near San Pedro River in Arizona, azcentral, Feb 2, 2019

White Bear Lake flourishes this summer with high water levels, but impending lawsuit looms, St. Paul Pioneer Press, September 14, 2019

White Bear Lake level lawsuit going to court of last resort, White Bear Press, Jul 24, 2019

Edward Lotterman: Real-life details make water policy perennially problematic, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Apr 28, 2019

Area’s groundwater use meets site sustainability standard, White Bear Press, Oct 24, 2018

White Bear Lake groundwater pumping sustainable, Minnesota DNR says, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Oct 17, 2018

In White Bear Lake, what’s old – the waterfront – is new again, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Aug 14, 2018

The Lake or the lawn? Watering ban hangs over heads of White Bear Lake neighbors, Saint Paul Pioneer Press, June 1, 2018

New law bars DNR from enforcing judge’s order in lake lawsuit – White Bear Press, May 30, 2018

New law delays water conservation measures in northeast metro – MPR News, May 21, 2018

Cities win one-year reprieve from White Bear Lake ruling – Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 21, 2018

Mission remains to restore lake; proponents say legislation shortsighted – White Bear Press, Apr 12, 2018

House bill tethering DNR gets hearing – White Bear Press, Apr 4, 2018

Judge’s ruling stands in lake level lawsuit – White Bear Press, Apr 4, 2018

Blasting Minnesota DNR, judge stands by her White Bear Lake ruling – Minneapolis Star Tribune, Mar 30, 2018

White Bear Lake guardians reside on both sides of courtroom table – White Bear Press, Feb 7, 2018

Plaintiffs prevail in White Bear Lake level lawsuit – White Bear Press, Sep 7, 2017