Protect the Boundary Waters

Boundary Waters, South Kawishiwi River, Minnesota | Brad Carlson

No mining in the Boundary Waters

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness encompasses 1,200 miles of rivers and streams and more than 1,000 lakes. It is a vast boreal forest ecosystem of interconnected waterways with exceptionally clean water. The Minnesota state water quality agency has described the water quality as “immaculate,” in fact, many people recreating in the area drink water from the lakes untreated. The Kawishiwi River is essential to the lifeblood of the internationally renowned Boundary Waters.

But the pristine waters of the Boundary Waters and Kawishiwi River are threatened by a massive sulfide-ore copper mine proposed on the banks of the South Kawishiwi River and Birch Lake, just outside of the wilderness area’s boundary and in its headwaters. In January 2023, the Kawishiwi River and the Boundary Waters watershed were protected from the devastation and pollution that inevitably accompany copper mining. But Congress and the Administration are seeking to revoke these protections, including through the controversial use of the Congressional Review Act, to greenlight mining in the area.

Congress must support keeping existing protections and reject efforts to allow sulfide-ore copper mining near the Boundary Waters, such as rolling back existing protections using the Congressional Review Act.

Let your voice be heard. Stand up to protect this national treasure and urge your elected officials to permanently protect the Boundary Waters.

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Dear {contact_data~salutation},

As the most visited Wilderness Area in the country, the Boundary Waters is a major driver of the local economy. Its rivers, streams, and lakes draw more than 155,000 overnight wilderness visitors annually and help power the recreation economy that supports more than 17,000 jobs in the region and generates more than $1 billion in sales annually. The South Kawishiwi River is essential to the lifeblood of the internationally renowned area and is an important canoe route through the heart of the Boundary Waters. Their pristine water provides incredible hunting and fishing habitat and fuel economically important outdoor recreation, but they are threatened by proposed sulfide-ore copper mining on public lands in the headwaters just outside of the wilderness area’s boundary.

Over two dozen scientific studies over the past decade have indicated that pollution to these waters is probable if not inevitable if mining is allowed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has flagged hard-rock mining as the most toxic industry in America. Sulfide-ore copper mine contamination harms water, aquatic and terrestrial species, forests and soils, and poses a serious risk to human health.

Mining and associated acid mine drainage, loss of habitat, forest fragmentation, invasive species, and air, noise and light pollution would devastate the fragile ecosystem of the Boundary Waters and its unique values.

What’s more, studies show that sulfide-ore copper mining along lakes and streams that flow into the Boundary Waters would put at risk premier fishing, hunting, and other recreation on Superior National Forest lands as well as northeastern Minnesota’s economy. Economic analysis shows that risky sulfide-ore copper mining on Superior National Forest lands in the watershed of the Wilderness could lead to the loss of nearly 5,000 jobs in tourism, up to 22,000 jobs in the rest of the economy, a $1.6 billion loss in annual income, and a $509 million reduction in private property values.

We ask that you defend the existing protections for the Boundary Waters and the Kawishiwi River and reject copper mining near this economically important natural area. We urge you to uphold the current mineral withdrawal and advance permanent protections to safeguard this irreplaceable national treasure.

The Congressional Review Act’s use in the House to overturn the protection of the Boundary Waters and the Kawishiwi River is an unprecedented overstep, undermining local communities, a billion-dollar recreation economy, and famously pristine waterways. This is not a singular event. As resolutions to undo public land management decisions continue to be put forward, we urge you to vote no to protect communities, economies, and our rivers nationwide.

Sincerely,

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