Interior Department plans to remove wolves from federal protection
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans yesterday to remove gray wolves from Endangered Species Act protections and move management responsibility to states
Legislation/Policy
Young people invited to apply for Washington, D.C. trip to lobby for Boundary Waters protection
Youth organization that works to protect the Boundary Waters from copper-nickel mining pollution is organizing another event to provide high school and college students the chance to tell policymakers their stories and ask for stewardship.
U.S. Senate passes bill to make northeast Minnesota hiking routes part of national trail system
Effort to adjust original route to include state’s premier trails along Lake Superior and through the Boundary Waters takes biggest step in 10 years as Senate includes it in omnibus legislation.
New northern Minnesota representative in Congress pushes PolyMet land exchange
Rep. Pete Stauber introduces legislation to ensure PolyMet can hold onto National Forest land it has already acquired.
Partners work to reduce impacts of government shutdown on Voyageurs National Park
Federal government funding lapse means no services at the park near International Falls, but nonprofit partners are providing financial support to provide limited staffing.
Young Boundary Waters advocates go to Washington, D.C. to speak for the wilderness
Young advocates spend two days in the nation’s capital, sharing their stories and asking officials to protect the Boundary Waters.
Members of Congress request details on reopening Boundary Waters watershed to mining
Two key Democrats have sent a letter to administration officials seeking evidence to back up the September decision.
Former Forest Service leader calls for continued protection of Boundary Waters
Retired leader of agency who took steps to prevent mining pollution from harming the wilderness says continued protection is important.
Boundary Waters created out of conflict and compromise 40 years ago today
Watch an award-winning student film about how the BWCAW Act of 1978 came to pass, and learn more about the long road to wilderness protection.
Journalism professors call for clearer communication about Isle Royale wolf reintroduction
Minnesota and Michigan-based academics say the decision to transport new wolves to the Lake Superior site was based on incomplete information.
Trump administration re-opens Boundary Waters watershed to mining
Federal government decides to let mining companies acquire leases to explore and extract minerals…
Three lawsuits filed to defend rejection of mineral leases near the Boundary Waters
Boundary Waters businesses, environmental groups challenge the Trump administration’s effort to restore leases to Twin Metals which are critical for its mine proposal.
Businesses, sporting groups, and environmentalists call on federal officials to block mining near Boundary Waters
Letters to leaders of two government agencies seek completion of study of mining in the wilderness watershed before proposals move forward.
Federal government restores mineral leases in Boundary Waters watershed
Twin Metals is getting mineral leases back that it lost in 2016, as the Trump administration continues to reverse Obama-era decisions.
Threat of mining pollution puts Boundary Waters on annual list of threatened rivers
American Rivers has named the wilderness waters to its list for a second time in five years as critical decisions loom.
Uncovering the secret lives of wolves
Imagine a wolf kill, and the remains of an ungulate—a hoofed animal like a moose—probably come to mind. Yet scientists have known for some time that wolves also eat smaller prey, like deer fawns and beavers. This is particularly true during summer, when wolf packs primarily hunt and travel as individuals or pairs.
Trump administration renews mineral exploration near Boundary Waters
Twin Metals project gets new lease on life after Interior Department lawyer reverses policy and says government must allow access.
Congress considers opening wilderness areas to bicycles
Disagreement about the bill hinges on whether or not human-powered mechanized travel is allowed under the Wilderness Act.
Twin Metals legislation passes House, Senate support seems elusive
A bill restoring mineral rights near the Boundary Waters squeaked through the House of Representatives last week, but doesn’t yet have a Senate author.
Legislation making mining easier in northern Minnesota moves forward in Congress
Two bills seeking to speed up the Twin Metals and PolyMet mine proposals are being voted on this week in Washington, D.C.