The administration recently announced a goal to protect 30 percent of lands and waters throughout the United States by 2030. This includes protection from mining impacts near wilderness areas such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).
Along the northern edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) lies an invisible line. The international border stretches over 150 miles of water trail, following the shorelines of Quetico Provincial Park to the north and the BWCA to the south. Careful observers may notice the subtle demarcation of the international boundary as they paddle by. Short metal reference markers are punched firmly into hard granite rock.
New legislation has been announced at the Minnesota state capitol, seeking to strengthen protections of the Boundary Waters from mining pollution. Chief authors Sen. Kelly Morrison and Rep. Sandra Feist seek to put legal restrictions on four specific mining practices they say represent unacceptable risk upstream of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
New management plans for all National Forests in the US seek to ensure mature and old-growth forests are maintained and even expanded.
Should fire be managed in the Boundary Waters? What have we learned from past mistakes? Experts discuss wildfire past and future in the BWCAW.
Minnesota DNR announces its undertaking rulemaking to protect the Boundary Waters wilderness from noise and light pollution related to mining.
Strong opposition emerges against effort to prohibit motor vehicles on large swaths of ice.
Northern Minnesota Congressman introduces legislation that would end 20-year ban recently announced by Biden administration.
If passed, copper-nickel mining would not be allowed anywhere where water flows toward wilderness.
Ongoing conflict focuses on financial value of wilderness and federal payments to compensate local governments for missed taxes.
“Wake boats and wake surfing pose a threat to the lake by causing shoreline erosion, turbulent disruption of lake bottom sediment, increased risk of the introduction of aquatic invasion species…”
Northern Minnesota member of Congress seeks to speed up approval of mine proposals like Twin Metals.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Betty McCollum to permanently prohibit mining copper and other sulfide ore in the watershed of the Boundary Waters wilderness cleared a key House committee this week…
Permits shut down due to pandemic will soon be available again to people paddling between U.S. and Canada.
Minnesota DNR requests feedback on first changes to wolf management in 22 years. Public can submit input about goals and strategies for state’s population of gray wolves.
“The environmental assessment released today provides a strong scientific foundation for a 20-year ban on copper mining near the Boundary Waters…”
The Minnesota Water Report looks at six major challenges to clean water in the state, including proposed copper-nickel mines, agricultural runoff, discharges from wastewater treatment facilities, water availability, wildlife habitat, and inadequate environmental rules and laws.
Discussions will cover proposed plan to prohibit new mining activities in locations that threaten BWCAW, if successful, the prohibition would effectively block the proposed Twin Metals mine.
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service have taken a decisive step toward long-term protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, resuming study, could lead to 20-year mining moratorium.
A new survey finds split opinions but strong desire to prevent pollution. 61 percent of respondents said they agree mining should be prohibited…