Will outdoors enthusiasts rise up to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness? They already did.

In 2023, the Biden administration took action to protect the most popular American wilderness area from sulfide ore copper mining and its pollution of the Boundary Waters.

Responding to concerns regarding the potential impacts of mining on the area’s watershed, fish and wildlife, Tribal and treaty rights, and robust recreation economy, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland signed Public Land Order 7917 withdrawing approximately 225,504 acres in the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota from disposition under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws for a 20-year period, subject to valid existing rights. This action will help protect the Rainy River watershed, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Chippewa Bands, from the potential adverse impacts of new mineral and geothermal exploration and development. (Biden-Harris Administration Protects Boundary Waters Area Watershed, January 26, 2023).

If Republicans regain power in the White House, expect them to work to undo these protections.

Annual trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are legendary among my friends. One person has made the trip from Iowa three times a year for the last 48 years. They are well aware of mining interests, and understand the risks to the pristine wilderness area of another Republican becoming president.

What makes this different is most of the attention from the wealthy, libertarian puppet masters of the Republican Party is directed toward oil and gas exploration and development. Only recently has the value of copper has gone up as this 45-year pricing chart from Macrotrends shows. Mining interests already have their sights set on copper in the Boundary Waters and its watershed.

The best way to protect the Boundary Waters, at least short term, is to reelect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in November. Every outdoors enthusiast should be aware of what’s at stake.

Following are links to additional reading on this issue

Biden-Harris Administration Protects Boundary Waters Area Watershed. January 26, 2023.

The Writing is on the Wall for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness by Bryan Hansel, September 20, 2020.

Interior sets moratorium after public outcry. The Wilderness Society, January 26, 2023.

The Boundary Waters is threatened by Copper Mining by Save The Boundary Waters.