Forest Service Okays Mineral Exploration Plan
The U.S. Forest Service has approved a plan for mining companies to expand the exploration for minerals in the Superior National Forest near Ely.
Legislation/Policy
Cravaack Introduces BWCAW Land-swap Bill
Representative Chip Cravaack has introduced federal legislation to authorize an exchange of state lands within the Boundary Waters for federal land outside.
MPCA Board Approves Haze Rules
The citizens’ board of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approved a controversial set of rules intended to reduce the amount of haze over northern Minnesota.
MPCA Board to Revisit Haze Rules
After delaying a decision on a plan to reduce haze over northern Minnesota, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s citizen’s board will attempt to approve the plan today.
Study: Deer Taking Toll on White Pine, White Cedar
A recent study says browsing by deer on white pines and white cedars is changing the nature of the forests along Minnesota’s North Shore.
Dog Teams Carry Mining Petitions
Environmental advocates concerned about mining in northeastern Minnesota are using dog teams to carry petitions to the state capitol in St. Paul.
Friends Offers Advocacy Fellowship
The advocacy group Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is offering a new fellowship named after the late canoe outfitter and wilderness advocate Bill Rom.
Bill Plans Concurrent Wolf, Deer Seasons
A bill to be introduced in the Minnesota House would open Minnesota’s first wolf hunting season at the same time as the state’s firearms deer hunting season.
Moose Population Continues Decline
The number of moose dwelling in Minnesota continues to decline according to the latest Minnesota Department of Natural Resources survey numbers, putting this fall’s moose hunt into question.
Minnesota Legislators Battle over Trust Lands
Minnesota state legislators are arguing over who should administer more than 2.5 million acres of school trust lands in the forests of northern Minnesota.
Exemption Could Avoid Clear Air Retro-Fit
A proposed exemption in the Clean Air Act could allow Minnesota’s largest coal-fired power plant to avoid a costly retro-fit to reduce the haze over the Boundary Waters and Voyageurs National Park.
Wolf Hunting Bill Introduced That Ignores DNR Wishes
Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, has introduced a bill to the Minnesota State Legislature that would set a wolf hunting season to coincide with deer season. This is in direct conflict with DNR plans.
AT&T Asks Courts to Overturn Tower Ruling
AT&T asked the Minnesota court of appeals to overturn a decision barring the company from building a 450-foot cell phone tower on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness …
DNR to Host Ely Fisheries Open House
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting an open house on Monday, January 9, to hear from stakeholders about fisheries in the Ely area.
DNR Seeks Comments on Split Rock
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments on plans to expand the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground.
Minnesota Seeks Sulfate Research
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is asking scientists to propose studies assessing the effects of sulfate pollution on the state’s wild rice.
Cravaack to Introduce Land Exchange Bill
Minnesota U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack said last week that he plans to introduce a bill in Congress to order exchange of state-owned land in the Boundary Waters for federal land in the Superior National Forest.
New BWCAW Permit System Finalized
Superior National Forest administrators have amended and finalized changes to the BWCAW permit reservations system announced in October.
Ruffed Grouse Comments Sought
The Minnesota DNR is accepting comments from citizens interested in ruffed grouse and the habitat that supports the popular woodland game bird.
Plan Would Buy, Swap State BWCAW Lands
A plan being hammered out between federal, state, and local lawmakers and interest groups could see the federal government swap 43,000 acres of land with the State of Minnesota and buy another 40,000 acres for $80 million.