Wilderness Unraveled? Senator Mike Lee Takes Another Shot At Our Public Lands
October 23, 2025 10:47 amIn his latest attempt to sow chaos amongst public land advocates across the United States, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced legislation that not only would alter over 9.5 million acres of Wilderness in U.S. Borderlands if passed, it also would fundamentally change the Wilderness Act and its ability to protect wild places like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from development. This comes months after Senator Lee introduced legislation that would permanently sell off millions of acres of public lands in the western United States.
S. 2967 The “Border Lands Conservation Act,” introduced on October 2nd, 2025, is a Senate bill that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to construct tactical infrastructure on federal public lands within a 100-mile zone along the United States’ northern and southern borders, in the name of border security. The bill would specifically amend the 1964 Wilderness Act to allow the Department of Homeland Security to conduct the following activities in Wilderness Areas:
‘‘(A) Access structures, installations, and roads. (B) Execute search and rescue operations. (C) Use motor vehicles, motorboats, and motorized equipment. (D) Conduct patrols on foot and on horseback. (E) Notwithstanding any other law, including regulations, relating specifically to the use of aircraft in a wilderness area or in the airspace above a wilderness area, use aircraft, including approach, landing, and takeoff. (F) Deploy tactical infrastructure (as defined in section 2 of the Border Lands Conservation Act) and technology. (G) Construct and maintain roads and physical barriers.’’
The bill defines “tactical infrastructure” as: “infrastructure for the detection of illegal southern border and northern border crossings, including observation points, remote video surveillance systems, motion sensors, vehicle barriers, fences, roads, bridges, drainage, and detection devices.” In addition to these changes, the bill would prohibit the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture from impeding the operations of the Department of Homeland Security, taking the land managers who know their respective areas best and removing them from the equation.
Given that the entirety of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) is within 100 miles of the Canadian border, this bill, if passed, could impact the most visited Wilderness in the United States and one of the most pristine ecosystems in the lower 48 states. Lee’s bill also illustrates that the focus placed on public lands at large by Congress and the administration, which we’ve witnessed in recent months, could have real, dangerous consequences for the Boundary Waters.
Not only does Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters disapprove of building additional infrastructure within the BWCA, we oppose altering the Wilderness Act to permit this kind of infrastructure in any Wilderness Area. Our mission remains the same: “To protect 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.” The Border Lands Conservation Act would unravel the foundation on which Wilderness Areas are built, and we will oppose this legislation at every opportunity.
In a recent MeatEater article on Mike Lee’s bill by Katie Hill, Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) commented on the legislation and its potential impact on the Boundary Waters and surrounding areas:
“Americans want to see our public lands protected, but Senator Lee’s bill overwrites important protections in the original Wilderness Act and could result in serious harm to our wild places, including the Boundary Waters,” said Senator Smith. “The Boundary Waters, like so many of our national parks, is one of this country’s great natural treasures, and I’m going to do everything in my power to fight any piece of legislation that would threaten this precious place.”
We appreciate Sen. Smith for taking a strong stand in support of the Boundary Waters—and for her unwavering opposition of wrongheaded attempts to undermine our treasured national landscapes.
If you’d like to take part in stopping this legislation in its tracks, contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives today via the U.S. Capitol switchboard information below, and let them know why you love the Boundary Waters, how this bill would impact Wilderness Areas around the country, and that they should vote “No” if the Border Lands Conservation Act ever sees the inside of the Capitol.
The main US Capitol switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. This number can connect you directly with the office of your U.S. Representative or Senator, allowing you to leave messages and voice your opinions on issues. The service operates 24/7, connecting the public to congressional offices.
How to use the switchboard:
Dial (202) 224-3121 to reach the primary operator. The operator will ask which member of Congress you want to reach. They will then connect you to the correct office. If you can’t reach an individual in that office, you can leave a message.
Thank you for taking action in support of the Boundary Waters and our national public lands!
