From Duluth to Mankato: building momentum for permanent protection in St Paul
Last month, Save the Boundary Waters staff and dozens of supporters gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul to urge lawmakers from across the state to support the Boundary Waters Permanent Protection Bill (H.F 309 and S.F 875). This enthusiastic group included constituents who traveled from as near as Minnetonka and St. Paul to as far as Duluth and Mankato.
The Boundary Waters Permanent Protection Bill would prohibit sulfide-ore copper mining operations on state-owned lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed in Northeastern Minnesota. The bill also bars the issuance of any copper mining leases within the watershed. It is well known that 100% of sulfide-ore copper mines have had spills or accidental releases. Pollution from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining on lands upstream of the Boundary Waters and Voyageurs National Park (VNP) would flow directly into the system of pristine lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands in the Wilderness. By banning this toxic type of mining, the bill would protect the Boundary Waters and VNP from the inevitable and devastating damage that would result from sulfide-ore copper mining pollution in its watershed.
While at the Minnesota Capitol, Wilderness defenders shared compelling personal stories about their connection to Canoe Country and why they want to see it permanently protected. Some highlights included:
- One individual shared their experience as an engineer, and debunked the false argument that Americans need a Twin Metals mine for “critical minerals” and to manufacture batteries.
- Another Boundary Waters defender described the challenges and environmental damage she saw while working in a salt mine.
- Several other business owners whose livelihoods directly depend on the robust, sustainable recreation and tourism economy in Ely and Northern Minnesota shared that the Wilderness must be permanently off-limits to toxic copper mining pollution.
Did you know that 70% of Minnesotans across all political backgrounds want to see the Boundary Waters permanently protected?
Since 2016, over 675,000 Americans, as well as those who love the Boundary Waters, have submitted public comments in support of the 2023, 20-year ban on copper mining on federal lands in the watershed.
With these hard-fought, science-based federal protections for the Boundary Waters watershed revoked, it is even more important that the Minnesota State Legislature take action to permanently protect the Wilderness. Minnesota has a critical duty to act as a backstop and prevent the Twin Metals mine, owned by the Chilean company Antofagasta, from moving forward.
Let’s speak loudly for this quiet place and tell our Minnesota State Legislators that we want the Boundary Waters protected, permanently.
You can learn more about Minnesota’s role in protecting the Boundary Waters on our website.
