ELY, MN--Today the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters launched "100 days to Save the Boundary Waters," a multi-week campaign to demonstrate to policymakers the overwhelming support to permanently protect the Boundary Waters Wilderness from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining. The campaign will consist of press events, videos, supporter actions, and more featuring voices from Minnesota and across the country who depend on the Boundary Waters for their livelihood, recreation, and clean water. Nearly 70% of Minnesotans support permanent protection for the Boundary Waters.
"Permanent protection for Minnesota's Boundary Waters is hugely popular," said Tom Landwehr, Executive Director of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters. "The economic, ecological, and recreational value of the Wilderness is tremendous, and over the next 100 days we will be lifting up the voices of the thousands who want to see this sacred place protected today and for future generations."
Last month, the Biden administration took an extraordinary first step towards protecting America's special places by signing an executive order that aims to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Swift action on Boundary Waters protection is directly in line with this order. The proposed Twin Metals mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters represents a threat to Minnesota's environment, economy, and way of life.
Protection efforts promoted by the Campaign include administrative action to protect the Boundary Waters, federal and state legislation, as well as litigation. In addition to widespread support among Minnesotans such protections are also supported by editorial boards across the state of Minnesota, including the Star Tribune, the Mankato Free Press, and the Marshall Independent.
Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta's Twin Metals project would sit on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters. Water flowing from the site will directly pollute Birch Lake before entering the Boundary waters where the path of pollution will continue. The project was terminated in 2016 by the US Forest Service because it posed a threat of irreparable harm to an irreplaceable Wilderness. It was resurrected by the Trump administration and was being fast tracked through inadequate reviews and negative changes to bedrock environmental laws. There are multiple lawsuits challenging these actions.