The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota is one of our nation’s most popular wilderness areas. In 2023, public land advocates across the country cheered as the Interior Department finalized a 20-year mining ban for its surrounding watershed to safeguard clean water, wildlife habitat, wilderness values, cultural resources, and recreation opportunities.
But now, the Trump Administration and its allies in Congress are attempting to overturn these protections and allow toxic sulfide ore mining to pollute these beloved public lands and waters. A new resolution would enable Twin Metals, a subsidiary of a Chilean mining conglomerate, to industrialize areas along the lakes and streams that flow into the wilderness.
Join us in fighting alongside northern Minnesota’s downstream communities, tribal leaders, businesses and concerned residents against the threat of toxic sulfide mining. Act now: Tell your Senators to vote NO.
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It helps to add a personal message about who you are and why this issue is important to you. Here are some talking points you can use:
- The Boundary Waters is the nation’s most visited wilderness area, and supports northeastern Minnesota’s tourism economy.
- Overturning these protections puts this fragile ecosystem and its clean waters at grave risk of permanent pollution and degradation.
- This resolution would throw out input from the public, in favor of a corporation’s wishes.
- More toxic mining on or affecting public lands will have the same impact on public access as full privatization - “no trespassing” signs, locked gates, and development of natural areas.