This morning, guided by science and public opinion, federal agencies charged with stewardship of taxpayer-owned public lands denied the renewal of two mineral leases adjacent to Minnesota’s iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and upstream of Voyageurs National Park. The decision halts the proposed Twin Metals sulfide-ore copper mine project from destroying the clean waters of America’s most popular wilderness area – a prime hunting, fishing and recreation destination that helps support 17,000 jobs and drive $850 million in economic activity annually. This is a major victory for the Boundary Waters and stopping the renewal of these leases was one of the main goals of our #wildernessyear to @savetheBWCA .
In addition, federal land managers announced they will begin a comprehensive environmental review to determine whether the watershed of the BWCA is the wrong place for sulfide-ore copper mining and should be removed from the federal mining program altogether. Numerous scientific studies show the dramatic risk such a mine would pose to the water-intensive, ecologically sensitive wilderness of the Boundary Waters.
In addition, federal land managers announced they will begin a comprehensive environmental review to determine whether the watershed of the BWCA is the wrong place for sulfide-ore copper mining and should be removed from the federal mining program altogether. Numerous scientific studies show the dramatic risk such a mine would pose to the water-intensive, ecologically sensitive wilderness of the Boundary Waters.
Great news today. But still more work to do. Follow the link in our bio to join us & urge MN Senators @SenFranken & @AmyKlobuchar to #savethebwca
