BREAKING: SFBW Thanks Sen. Tina Smith for Strong Support of Boundary Waters Protection

For Immediate Release

Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters

SFBW Thanks Sen. Tina Smith for Strong Support of Boundary Waters Protection

Senator’s letter to Agriculture, Interior secretaries requests completion of canceled mineral withdrawal study 

Ely, Minn. — Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters applauds the request U.S. Sen. Tina Smith delivered to two federal agencies urging action that could lead to 20 years of protection for America’s most visited wilderness. In a letter today, Sen. Smith, D-Minn., asked the U.S. Forest Service to re-initiate an environmental review process for a 20-year ban on copper-sulfide mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters believes the withdrawal process Smith requests will protect this valuable public land and its resources from sulfide-ore copper mining for today’s hunters and anglers and future generations.

Writing to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Smith said, “I am writing to ask that you direct the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to initiate a mineral segregation and withdrawal process to determine whether the copper-nickel-sulfide ore in the Rainy River Watershed in northeastern Minnesota can be safely mined and whether watershed protections are warranted.” 

Smith said she believes a new study could be completed in less than two years. Last week the Biden administration said it would review the unlawful reinstatement and renewal of mineral leases held by Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta’s Twin Metals for a sulfide-ore copper mine located within the BWCA watershed. 

In response to Senator Smith’s letter, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters Executive Director Lukas Leaf said: 

“The Boundary Waters is an important hunting and fishing destination for sportsmen and women from across the entire country. Hunters and anglers appreciate Senator Smith’s support for this one-of-a-kind wilderness and her candor in demanding a thorough, unbiased withdrawal process. Per her letter, the federal government already would have the evidence needed for such a determination if the previous administration had not canceled the previous study. We’re thrilled with today’s letter and grateful for Senator Smith’s leadership in requesting completion of that study, which we believe will move us closer toward permanent protection of this wilderness.”

At nearly 1.1 million acres, the Boundary Waters spreads across the northeastern tip of Minnesota. It is a vast boreal forest consisting of interconnected lakes, streams, wetlands, and aquifers that provide some of the best fishing and hunting the world has to offer. Hunters and anglers travel to the Boundary Waters for the one-of-a-kind chance to pursue lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, and black bear in a true backcountry wilderness landscape.

With more than 150,000 annual visitors, the Boundary Waters represents some of America’s most-accessible public lands to visitors, particularly in the Midwest. In a day, visitors can drive from Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, and across Minnesota for a true one-of-a-kind backcountry wilderness experience. While these states have access to other public lands, few places in the country provide an opportunity for backcountry travel in a canoe. This allows for families and children of any age to participate in Boundary Waters trips. Few other backcountry destinations allow for this sort of experience, and the few places we have in America that provide the backdrop for this experience need permanent protection.

Read the full letter here

Categorised in: News, Press Release, Updates