Two bills have been reintroduced to the legislature to address wilderness protection and mining practices near the BWCAW. Supporters of mining highlight its positive impact on local revenue and economic growth. However, opponents continue to advocate for protecting the wilderness and surrounding areas, noting that they contain some of the cleanest waters on Earth.
Advocates for clean water warn that a mining project near Lake Superior could harm human health and the environment in the long term.
Project 2025, founded by a coalition of conservative organizations, urges the next Republican administration to overturn the 20-year ban on new mineral leasing near the BWCAW. Environmental advocates raise concerns about the risk of pollution and wilderness protection.
Last week, Representative Pete Stauber attached five amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act. These aim to overturn the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). While four of those amendments were defeated, one remains under review.
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.
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).
Green Bridge Metals and Encampment Minerals are set to launch drilling exploration for copper-nickel and other metals near Lake Superior. Healthcare providers communicate concerns over the long-term impact of sulfide mining near the BWCA.
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.
Minnesota DNR announces its undertaking rulemaking to protect the Boundary Waters wilderness from noise and light pollution related to mining.
Professor of geology studied several mines that supposedly have not polluted, and found they don’t meet proposed Minnesota standards.
Northern Minnesota Congressman introduces legislation that would end 20-year ban recently announced by Biden administration.
The merits of PolyMet Mining Corp.’s plan to seal its waste in clay to prevent pollution are being closely debated in a St. Paul courtroom this week.
The BWCAW’s lack of human noise is recognized as increasingly important. This award honors the quietest places in the world.
Former governor Arne Carlson calls on Walz administration to protect MN water from the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine.
Agency order protects wilderness from mining pollution for maximum time allowed by law.
If passed, copper-nickel mining would not be allowed anywhere where water flows toward wilderness.
New technology being tested by the U of M could remove sulfate pollution from wastewater and mining discharge, but will it be soon enough for wild rice?
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…
“The environmental assessment released today provides a strong scientific foundation for a 20-year ban on copper mining near the Boundary Waters…”
Federal agency declares mine would cause pollution unacceptable to Fond du Lac Band.