FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Ingrid Lyons, 347-247-3720
December 12, 2025
RELEASE: New poll finds that two-thirds of Minnesotans want stronger protections for the Boundary Waters and oppose sulfide-ore copper mining in the watershed of this treasured landscape.
(Ely, MN) – A new poll conducted by Impact Research in late August 2025 finds that the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness remains a uniquely popular destination among likely 2026 voters. Legislative battleground districts were oversampled to provide an insight into how voters in swing areas across the state view sulfide-ore mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters. The results were consistent with multiple rounds of polling over the past decade, including by President Trump’s pollster Fabrizio-Ward. In all polls, Minnesotans viewed protection of the Boundary Waters as a top issue they want their elected leaders to address.
● Voters of all party affiliations say protecting the Boundary Waters is an important priority. Nearly 2-in-3 Minnesotans (60%) say they have personally been to the Boundary Waters. The Boundary Waters is viewed favorably by nearly all Minnesotans, with 86% who have a favorable view and 67% who have a very favorable view.
● That intensely favorable view leads to this result: 68% of voters statewide and 70% of voters in battleground districts say that legislation permanently protecting the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining should be a very important priority.
● By more than a 2-1 margin, voters oppose sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters watershed (23% favor / 57% oppose). Opposition is consistent with all polls since 2015 when voters were first asked this question. Notably, support for sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters watershed has dropped 8 points over the last three years. Opposition - and shrinking support - are testaments to Minnesotans' recognition of the Boundary Waters as a unique natural resource.
● Strong opposition by Minnesotans to sulfide-ore copper mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters does not mean Minnesotans are opposed to mining in general. Minnesota voters hold iron ore/taconite mining in relatively high regard (60% favor / 20% oppose) and the concept of sulfide-ore copper mining has net positive responses (40% favor / 26% oppose). However, Minnesota voters draw a clear distinction and agree that the watershed of the Boundary Waters is the wrong location for sulfide-ore copper mining.
Background:
The Boundary Waters is a statewide and national treasure, with millions of people cherishing this landscape. The Boundary Waters supports a thriving, sustainable outdoor economy, and research shows that copper mining within its watershed would be a net job killer, threatening up to 22,000 jobs and up to $1.6 billion in annual income. A vast collection of peer-reviewed science shows that if a Twin Metals sulfide-ore copper mine was built along the rivers and streams flowing into the Wilderness, pollution and environmental degradation would be certain.
A 2017 report by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency describes the waters within the mineral withdrawal area as “immaculate." The Report concludes that "the majority of the waterbodies within this watershed had exceptional biological, chemical, and physical characteristics that are worthy of additional protection."
###