The Minnesota Supreme Court announced last week that it will not review a Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling allowing the construction of a 450-foot cell phone tower on Fall Lake, just outside of Ely, MN.
Legislation/Policy
Environmental Groups Challenge Wilderness Haze Plan
Environmental groups are challenging Minnesota’s plan to reduce haze in places like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park.
News Update: BWCAW Land Swap Bill to be Considered by House
Last spring, representative Chip Cravaack introduced federal legislation to exchange 86,000 acres of state lands embedded inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for an equal amount of federal land outside the wilderness.
Feds Temporarily Douse Fire Policy
In a temporary change in wildland firefighting policy, the U.S. Forest Service announced recently that it would now attempt to suppress all wilderness fires in an effort to conserve resources.
Voyageurs’ Eagle Nesting Areas Re-Opened
Four developed campsites and one undeveloped area in Voyageurs National Park that were off-limits due to bald eagles nesting have been re-opened, the Park announced recently.
DNR Commissioner Talks Wolf Hunting
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr recently explained some of the rationale behind Minnesota’s first regulated wolf hunt.
DNR Details First Minnesota Wolf Hunt
The Minnesota DNR released the details yesterday for the state’s first regulated wolf hunting and trapping season to be held later this year.
St. Louis County Mulls Deer Stand Options
St. Louis County commissioners and land managers are considering options to stop deer hunters from building elaborate stands and clearing trees on county land.
Border Security vs. Wilderness Protection
Another new bill raises concerns about potential development in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives waives environmental regulations on public land within 100 miles of international borders.
New Bills Could Open Wilderness Areas to Hunting, Fishing, Motors
When the U.S. House passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012 two months ago, it didn’t get much attention. But after further analysis, the bill is increasingly seen as a real …
Review Backs Pagami Creek Fire Decisions
An internal U. S. Forest Service review of management of the Pagami Creek Fire supports the decision-making and actions of officials charged with fighting the 93,000-acre blaze.
Appeals Court Overturns Cell-Tower Ruling
The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling barring construction of a 450-foot cell-tower atop a 150-foot ridge at the edge of the Boundary Waters Wilderness.
State Mineral Exploration Leases Approved
The Minnesota Executive Committee agreed to permit exploration for minerals on state lands and privately held land where the state owns the minerals rights.
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.
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.