Save the Boundary Waters - January 2025 Issue Update

Jan 21, 2025
Save the Boundary Waters
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Last updated: January 22, 2025

What’s the status?

Boundary Waters protections are at risk: Hard-won protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from toxic copper mining are in the crosshairs, once again making the Boundary Waters the most visited and most threatened Wilderness in America. 

Promises to overturn the 20-year copper mining ban (the mining ban President Biden signed just two years ago) in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters have been made on both the Executive and Legislative levels:

  1. Executive Order
    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.
  2. Legislation
    U.S. Representative Stauber will reintroduce his legislation, formerly HR 3195, which would overturn the 20-year ban, reinstate federal mineral leases next to the Boundary Waters for copper mining company Twin Metals Minnesota, bar judicial review of these leases, and compel a speedy review of a Mine Plan.

What is Save the Boundary Waters doing right now to defend the Boundary Waters in light of the new administration? 

Save the Boundary Waters and its coalition members are working to understand all pathways to overturn the 20-year copper mining ban and preparing allies to defend these hard-won protections in the halls of Congress, in the courtroom, and wherever else this fight requires us to be. 

  • Fighting anti-Boundary Waters legislation is a top priority. It is unlikely that Stauber’s legislation, once re-introduced, would come forward for a vote as a standalone bill. Instead, the legislation has been identified for potential inclusion in the Budget Reconciliation package. This is important because a critical line of defense lies with the Senate, which can typically use the filibuster process to prevent passage of a bill, especially in a tight majority, as it requires the vote of 60 of 100 Senators to pass the bill. The budget reconciliation process, however, requires a  “simple majority,” or 51 of 100 Senators. Representative Stauber, also the chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, is on the team involved in discussing mineral issues in reconciliation. Building strong connections with key members of the House and Senate, along with grassroots support nationwide, will be essential in opposing any anti-Boundary Waters legislation.
  • 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.

What can I do?

​​You can help protect the Boundary Waters from toxic copper mining and defend its previously hard-won protections. By signing up for our email alerts and following us on social media, you will be the first to know about new actions to protect the Boundary Waters. Here are some actions you can do right now.

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

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.

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