Federal Agencies Take Action To Protect The BWCA

October 21, 2021 3:19 pm

(EDITED January 20, 2022: The 90-day federal mineral withdrawal study is complete. Sign up for Sportsmen for the Boundary Water’s email list, or send a message to your member of Congress to receive email updates about the federal mineral withdrawal study in the BWCA watershed.)

On Oct. 20, 2021, federal agencies committed to complete a study of potential impacts of sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters Watershed and paused new mineral leasing in the area while science and public input is gathered.

The United States Forest Service (USFS) sent a mineral withdrawal application to withdraw, for a 20-year term, mineral leases in 225,378 acres of the Superior National Forest (SNF) to the Bureau of Land Management. This notice segregates the lands for up to two years from operation of the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. The action also provides for an opportunity for the public to submit written comments on the withdrawal application and notifies the public that one or more public meetings will be held regarding the application.

“The Boundary Waters area is an irreplaceable natural resource renowned for high-quality fishing, wildlife viewing, and recreational opportunities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I have asked the Forest Service to work with the Bureau of Land Management to complete a careful environmental analysis and engage the public on whether future mining should be authorized on any federal land adjacent to this spectacular and unique wilderness resource.”

What comes next?

This initiates a 90-day comment period, beginning October 21, 2021, where people interested in the permanent protection of the Boundary Waters watershed from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining can comment, and make their voices heard in the process. Comment now through January 19th with Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters. Send a comment now to sign up for Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters’ email list to stay engaged, and learn more about participating in the process to permanently protect the Boundary Waters for future generations.

The announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Oct. 20, 2021, to submit a withdrawal application to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a huge step forward in the effort to permanently protect the Boundary Waters from proposed hard rock mining upstream.

“Now is the time for hunters and anglers to engage in this process for the preservation of the BWCA,” said Lukas Leaf SFBW executive director. “Public lands and waters belong to all Americans, and we must protect those lands and waters to ensure that our future generations can experience them as we have. Our priceless backcountry spaces, like the Boundary Waters, are no exception.”

The 24-month segregation of lands initiated by today’s announcement in the Federal Register prohibits the issuance of new prospecting permits or leases for mining-related activities but does not affect valid existing rights or activities on private lands. Separately, there are two leases within the proposed withdrawal area associated with the proposed Twin Metals Mine that are currently in litigation. The leases in question could be withdrawn by the Secretary of the Interior, who has the authority to withdraw lands for a maximum of 20 years, subject to renewal; only Congress can legislate a permanent withdrawal. H.R. 2794 is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, which would make the withdrawal permanent.

Thank you to our supporters and partners

Hunters and anglers overwhelmingly support the protection of the Boundary Waters from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining and applauded the decision to complete the study of the Boundary Waters watershed. Thank you to each and every organization, individual, business owner and visitor to the Boundary Waters who has joined with Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters in requesting that federal agencies reevaluate their approach, and instead consider the impacts to fish, wildlife, and future generations of hunters and anglers in their decision making process.