Save the Boundary Waters - March 2025 issue update
Last updated: March 31, 2025,
What just happened?
On March 20, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,” which puts America’s public lands, including protected, special places, at immediate risk of development from mining. The Order fast-tracks domestic mining on federal lands, citing that mining should be the primary purpose of these lands. The Order also significantly broadens the list of “critical minerals” and enacts the Cold War-era Defense Production Act (DPA) which would subsidize companies that already mine hardrock minerals without paying royalties.
TL;DR: The White House just issued an Executive Order that puts America’s public lands—including the Boundary Waters—at immediate risk. This is a dead giveaway of the American people’s public lands.
This Executive Order:
- Invokes wartime-era powers to fast-track mining projects, threatening America’s most beloved Wilderness. This hands public lands over to corporate interests—ignoring the overwhelming majority of Americans who cherish public lands, and want the Boundary Waters protected.
- Fast-tracks domestic mining on federal lands, asserting that mining should be the primary purpose of these lands.
- Broadens the list of “critical minerals” to include copper and enacts the Cold War-era Defense Production Act (DPA), which would subsidize companies that already mine hard rock minerals without paying royalties.
- Would subsidize mining companies while reducing public input to reopen past projects — including a mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
What is an Executive Order?
- Official, legally binding orders from the President of the United States directing federal agencies on how to implement laws or policies.
- Several have been signed since January 20, including a few relevant to public lands and the BWCA:
- Unleashing American Energy (January 20, 2025)
- Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production (Mar 20, 2025)
What are we doing to fight back?
- Things are happening fast, but we’re ready. We’ve spent years leading this fight with a team of legal experts, scientists, advocates, and, most importantly, dedicated supporters like you. Now, more than ever, we must defend hard-won victories, confront new threats, and push for permanent protection.
What you can do:
- What about permanent protection? Representative Betty McCollum re-introduced her Boundary Waters protection legislation, which would make the copper mining ban in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters permanent. This legislation aligns with the robust scientific, legal, social, and economic record, which demonstrates clearly that the headwaters of America’s canoe country is no place for America’s most toxic industry.
- This issue is in the courtroom. We’re prepared to defend the 20-year mining ban in court with a robust legal strategy and scientific evidence. Our litigation efforts are key to protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – and will be crucial in the coming years. Litigation allows us to escalate strategic legal challenges, rally public support, and push for protections at the local, state, and federal levels.
Save the Boundary Waters was in Washington, DC, the week of January 13, 2025, to hear Oral Arguments before the DC Circuit in a lawsuit brought by Twin Metals in which the company challenged actions by the Bureau of Land Management that had rejected applications for mineral leases and a mine plan of operations for a copper mine in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters. The District Court dismissed the lawsuit, and Twin Metals appealed the dismissal. Our organization, 4 other conservation groups, and 10 businesses intervened on behalf of the Federal Government. - Promises to overturn the 20-year copper mining ban. Based on promises made during his re-election bid, it is anticipated that President Trump will be taking action to overturn our hard-won protections for the Boundary Waters watershed. The authority to undo the 20-year mining ban is delegated by Congress, to the Secretary of the Department of Interior.
TAKE ACTION:
Send a message to Congress: Send a message to your members of Congress or call their offices directly to let them know why protecting the Boundary Waters is important to you. TAKE ACTION
And, if you are a Minnesotan, urge your state elected officials to sign on to the Boundary Waters Permanent Protection Bill (Aka the Boundary Waters Forever Bill) MN TAKE ACTION
Donate: Support Save the Boundary Waters by donating to our Boundary Waters Defense Fund. This bold, new fund helps us escalate legal challenges, rally public support, and push for permanent protection at the national, state, and local levels. Your gift ensures we have the resources to defend America's most visited Wilderness from emerging threats in 2025 and beyond. DONATE
Volunteer: Get involved directly with Save the Boundary Waters. Whether you attend an event, meet with your elected officials in-person, or volunteer with our outreach team, you can help protect the Wilderness! VOLUNTEER
Help grow the movement: Awareness is critical to the success of the Save the Boundary Waters movement. Do you know someone who loves public lands? Is there a group you regularly visit the Boundary Waters with? Is there someone who would care about this issue? Share our issue with them today. We need as many voices as possible to speak loudly for this quiet place.
