The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota is one of the most popular wilderness areas, rich with a variety of wildlife and lakes. As of recently, there have been legislative acts to repeal anti-mining acts in and around the area of the BWCAW. The Boundary Waters are home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, loons, fish, frogs, turtles, otters, and more all take refuge on the Boundary Waters’ vast lakes. If the acts repeal mining bans in the area, all life in the Boundary Waters is at heavy risk of dying off.

The reason people want to mine in the Boundary Waters in the first place is because it’s rich in copper and sulfur. Furthermore, the city of Duluth, Minnesota is nearby, the city is big on mining, and mining infrastructure. The amount of ores the Boundary Waters hold is massive. According to DailyMontanan, companies say it’s easier and cheaper to mine locally rather than import, plus it sets up for pending trade deals; the Boundary Waters are a perfect way for mining companies to put the aforementioned methods into action. There’s another problem to deal with if this legislative act goes through, that being Canada. The BWCAW is split between the two countries, and a large amount of the wilderness is in Canada and dubbed the Quetico park. So with that, this act doesn’t just affect the wilderness–it could also lead to Canada getting mad.

This has been a battle that has been ongoing for over 20 years, while protections for the land have existed for 120 years. The long lasting streak of defending the area has almost come to an end. According to DailyMontanan, “The bill passed 214-208 on nearly party lines, with one Democrat and one Republican voting against the rest of their respective party”. The Save The Boundary Waters website provides additional information with continuous developments in the story, plus ways to support the cause and keep the Boundary Waters free from mining.

In conclusion, if the act gets passed one of the largest wilderness areas north of the Rockies, is under siege to harmful chemicals and the death of wildlife. Please help save these vibrant and beautiful lands through the Save The Boundary Waters website.