the Media Room

“The Boundary Waters is America’s most visited – and our most threatened – Wilderness. The countdown to an all-but-certain and unprecedented revocation of Biden’s historic mining ban in the Boundary Waters watershed has begun. The robust record of science, law, public opinion, and economics is clear – copper mining does not belong on the doorstep of one of America’s most iconic landscapes. Rep. McCollum’s Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act is crucial and common sense legislation to secure these lasting protections. This bill ensures that this beloved and long-protected place remains intact while upholding Northeastern Minnesota’s economic vitality and way of life,” said Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters 

The American people don’t want the most toxic industry, sulfide-ore copper mining, on the doorsteps of the most visited Wilderness Area in the nation – 70% of Minnesotans support a ban on this kind of toxic mining in the Boundary Waters headwaters.

On Wednesday, E&E News by POLITICO reported that House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman plans to fast-track mining projects, with the Twin Metals project in Minnesota topping his list. This move reinforces the new administration’s clear agenda to dismantle protections for the entire Boundary Waters watershed—including undoing Biden’s historic 20-year mineral withdrawal, a goal they’ve vowed to pursue within their first “ten minutes” in office.

The death of President Jimmy Carter marks the loss of one of the Boundary Waters’ most historic champions. President Carter’s leadership was instrumental in protecting this treasured Wilderness. On October 21, 1978, he signed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act into law—a landmark achievement for America’s most visited Wilderness.

Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW), the founder and lead organization of Save the Boundary Waters, concluded an administrative law evidentiary trial called a “contested case hearing” (“the Hearing”) before Minnesota Administrative Law Judge Megan McKenzie. The Hearing concluded mid-afternoon on Wednesday, November 13th

Despite the challenges ahead, Lyons affirmed Save the Boundary Waters’ resolve: We have fought through one Trump presidency, and we will do it again. While we’ve faced setbacks, we have also achieved historic victories. Thanks to years of steadfast dedication, we’ve defended the Boundary Waters at the highest levels and delivered lasting triumphs.

“This is a good day for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Minnesota students. It solves a key issue that has been unresolved for thirty years - this proposal would infuse millions of dollars into the permanent fund supporting K-12 Minnesota schools and consolidates federal ownership on lands in the BWCAW, ” said Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters

70% of Minnesotans want the Boundary Waters permanently protected from copper mining. The future of America's most visited Wilderness areas now heavily depends on the November election.

Fifty-two organizations signed a letter sent to Congress opposing HR 3195. The bill panders to foreign mine owners and goes against the will of 70% of Minnesotans who support a ban on sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters headwaters.