News

A decision by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources adds uncertainty to regulators’ role in deciding the future of copper-nickel mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters. Now, the state legislature has the power to change the underlying laws that protect the BWCA.

As the state of Minnesota moves forward with a conservation framework that allows for the protection of our public lands and waters, as well as the responsible development of iron ore, taconite, logging, and other industries that have existed in Northern Minnesota for generations, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters remains committed to protecting the integrity of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its watersheds for huntable and fishable populations of fish and wildlife, now and forever through advocacy and education.

Today, in honor of Sigurd F. Olson’s 124th birthday, learn about Sig’s legacy to the Boundary Waters and make a gift to Sportsmen for the BWCA to ensure his legacy lives on. Sigurd F. Olson was a writer, conservationist, and wilderness advocate who played a significant role in protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). Through his writing and advocacy, Olson helped to raise awareness of the value of wilderness areas and the need to protect them for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

This legislation would ensure permanent protection of the Boundary Waters from any future sulfide-ore copper mining mineral leasing in the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest while excluding sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite mining, and also allows for the continued use of the Superior National Forest for ongoing mining and logging operations.

Department of the Interior orders 20-year mineral withdrawal in the Rainy River Watershed of Northeast Minnesota

As federal agencies complete another environmental review of proposed actions in the watershed of the BWCA, it's more important now than ever that supporters of the Boundary Waters let their members of Congress know: Now is the time to permanently protect America's most visited Wilderness.

We’ve broken down our gear essentials for packing light to fish in the Boundary waters to rod and reel, line, and top lures for a range of fish species and seasons. Guest blog by Omnia Fishing.

The best rod for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota depends on what kind of trip you’re taking, how much you’re planning to fish, and how many miles you plan to travel. Guest blog by Omnia Fishing.

Hunters and anglers applauded a proposal Thursday from federal agencies that would protect the nation’s most visited wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. A long-awaited analysis from the U.S. Forest Service shows that copper-nickel mining poses a major risk to the BWCA, and the USFS draft environmental assessment proposes a 20-year ban on copper-nickel mining on federal lands in the watershed.

On June 23, 2022, federal agencies announced a 30-day public comment period for an Environmental Assessment (EA), or a proposed study on the impacts of withdrawing hardrock mining leases upstream of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In the newly released study, federal agencies proposed a moratorium on the development of any mineral leases in approximately 225,504 acres of Superior National Forest lands within the watershed of the Boundary Waters for up to 20 years.