RELEASE: Boundary Waters removed from House Reconciliation bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Libby London (612) 227-8407

Boundary Waters removed from House Reconciliation bill

(Washington, D.C.) – Tonight, a dangerous provision (section 80131) that would open the Boundary Waters watershed up to sulfide-ore copper mining was removed from the U.S. House Reconciliation Bill via resolution. The text is here.

Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters, issued the following statement:

“The Boundary Waters is a natural treasure, ecological wonder, and vital economic driver. Thanks to the tireless efforts of public lands defenders in Congress, today brings good news for the millions who cherish this iconic place. America’s most visited Wilderness has narrowly escaped inclusion in the Big Beautiful Bill, which would have almost guaranteed irreversible pollution from toxic copper mining in this fragile ecosystem.

Make no mistake: the threats in Washington to our public lands are far from over. People across the country who love our public lands must stay united and vigilant—now is the time to stand up for America’s wild places.”

Senator Tina Smith shared her thoughts:

“Today marks a victory in our fight to protect the Boundary Waters. Buried deep in President Trump and Republicans' Big Beautiful Bill was a provision that gave a foreign mining company full permission to build a copper-nickel sulfide mine right on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters. I vowed to do everything in my power to protect this precious place. Today, I am relieved to announce that we were successful in forcing Republicans to drop this language attacking the Boundary Waters from the bill."

Section 80131 would have stripped protections from the Boundary Waters watershed, opening the door to toxic copper mining and handing foreign mining giant Antofagasta permanent leases—without any chance for public challenge or judicial review. Had the provision made it into the Senate text, it would have been disastrous for America’s public lands.

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