Early this year—thanks to support from Wilderness Watch members and others—the Forest Service put a temporary pause on destructive mining activity in the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and re-initiated a study of how copper-nickel sulfide-ore mining could harm this region of streams and lakes. The 1.1-million-acre BWCAW lies in Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, and is the most visited Wilderness in the entire National Wilderness Preservation System. The Forest Service concluded its study in June and, based on the findings, then proposed a 20-year moratorium on mining of federal public lands and minerals in the BWCAW watershed. Please take action right now to support this proposal! Copper-nickel sulfide-ore mining is some of the most toxic mining on the planet. The proposed 20-year mineral withdrawal on 225,378 acres of federal land surrounding the BWCAW would prevent disastrous impacts to this iconic Wilderness, its wilderness character, its irreplaceable fish and wildlife habitat, and the pristine water quality that all help make this such a special place. The release of the study results gives the public an opportunity to submit comments on the proposal. Right now, we have an opportunity to protect this spectacular Wilderness for the next two decades. The public comment period closes on August 12, so please take action today! |
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