Should life jackets be required in the BWCA?
Recent incidents in the BWCAW have resurfaced a long debate about whether people should be required to wear personal flotation devices…
Legislation/Policy
No longer “off the grid” – phone satellite coverage coming to BWCA
Full smartphone satellite coverage may be coming to the Boundary Waters sooner than you think. If made permanent, users would have the same level of connectivity that they experience daily. Wilderness areas like the BWCA could have full coverage by 2025. Search and rescue response expects to benefit…
Bill targets gray wolf endangered status
Lawmakers passed a bill titled “Trust the Science Act” which would delist gray wolves from the endangered species list. If the bill passes into law, management would shift from federal to state governance.
U.S. House backs Rep. Stauber’s effort to reverse 20-year mining ban
A bill that could reverse the 20-year ban on mining leases near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) passed the U.S. House. It will soon move on to the Senate. Environmental advocates express concern over the reversal of mining leases that could impact watersheds in the region.
Biden administration builds on historic efforts toward clean water
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).
How is the international border marked in the 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.
Legislators seek to ban risky mining practices in BWCA wilderness watershed
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.
Biden administration proposes protecting old-growth federal forests
New management plans for all National Forests in the US seek to ensure mature and old-growth forests are maintained and even expanded.
Star Tribune series explores fighting fire with fire in the BWCA
Should fire be managed in the Boundary Waters? What have we learned from past mistakes? Experts discuss wildfire past and future in the BWCAW.
DNR considers BWCA mining buffer zone expansion
Minnesota DNR announces its undertaking rulemaking to protect the Boundary Waters wilderness from noise and light pollution related to mining.
Plan to restrict ATVs on frozen lakes at Voyageurs National Park gets pushback
Strong opposition emerges against effort to prohibit motor vehicles on large swaths of ice.
Rep. Stauber seeks to overturn Boundary Waters mining ban, hosts field hearing
Northern Minnesota Congressman introduces legislation that would end 20-year ban recently announced by Biden administration.
New legislation to block mining in Boundary Waters watershed
If passed, copper-nickel mining would not be allowed anywhere where water flows toward wilderness.
What is the Boundary Waters worth? Counties and Forest Service disagree
Ongoing conflict focuses on financial value of wilderness and federal payments to compensate local governments for missed taxes.
Cook County approves request to ban wake boats on Caribou Lake
“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…”
Rep. Stauber bill would shorten environmental review for mine proposals
Northern Minnesota member of Congress seeks to speed up approval of mine proposals like Twin Metals.
Congressional committee passes ban on copper mining near Boundary Waters
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…
Canada to resume remote area border crossing permits, allow travel between Boundary Waters and Quetico
Permits shut down due to pandemic will soon be available again to people paddling between U.S. and Canada.
MN DNR accepting comments on new wolf management plan
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.
Forest Service says copper-nickel mining threatens Boundary Waters
“The environmental assessment released today provides a strong scientific foundation for a 20-year ban on copper mining near the Boundary Waters…”