Boundary Waters: Thank you for taking action

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments and took environmental action to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota.

In 30 days, we gathered and submitted over 28,200 comments to the U.S. Forest Service. We asked them to prepare a full comprehensive study that examines the disastrous impacts of mining on the edge of America’s most visited wilderness.

For those who don’t know, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is under threat. A foreign mining company is looking to open permits for a $3 billion sulfide-ore copper-nickel mine along the edge of the pristine wilderness. And sulfide-ore copper mining is one of the most toxic industries in America. The toxic pollution from these mines would flow right into the Boundary Waters and pollute the pristine wilderness for generations.  

The U.S. Forest Service announced plans to significantly downgrade its study on risks posed by sulfide-ore copper mining to the Boundary Waters. The agency is downgrading the promised Environmental Impact Statement to a less rigorous Environment Assessment.

A new poll shows that 70 percent of Minnesotans are opposed to sulfide-ore copper mining on the edge of the Boundary Waters.

This area is too important to be put at risk, should be off limits to this dangerous and toxic type of mining. And this type of mining has a high risk of pollution. This toxic pollution would contaminate the wilderness for years and disrupt wildlife that call this beautiful untouched area home. The smell of pine coats the air, the call of the loon rings from across the clean pristine water. Every part of this northern wilderness region should have full protection.

We turned in comments to the U.S. Forest Service on February 26th asking them to protect this beautiful area.

Stay tuned while we are continuing to work hard to gain permanent protection for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.