Boundary Waters

Thank you, @SenAmyKlobuchar, for sharing your story and speaking up for the Boundary Waters! We are so thankful for your advocacy this week.

Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that unravels protections for the Boundary Waters watershed. The vote passed by 50-49. nytimes.com/2026/04/16/cli…

Thank you, Senator Tina Smith, for your leadership and for being a powerful Boundary Waters Champion in the Senate. We are so thankful for your advocacy this week. We will keep fighting!

🚨 The Senate passed H.J. Res. 140, gutting Boundary Waters protections. This sets a dangerous precedent for public lands nationwide. We’re not done fighting. There are still paths to stop this mine. We'll keep you posted today about what this means and how you can get involved.

UPDATE: Senate is adjourned until 10:00 AM EST. At 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 16, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the passage of HJ Res 140. We will continue our live updates tomorrow morning! savetheboundarywaters.org/live-updates-s…

I’m holding the Senate floor tonight in protest of legislation that would allow a copper-nickel sulfide mine on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters. Not this mine. Not this place. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

LIVE: Senators will soon consider the Joint Resolution that threatens the Boundary Waters. We expect several hours of debate, followed by a final vote tonight or in the morning. If you want to follow along live update tonight, we’re posting updates here: savetheboundarywaters.org/live-updates-s…

"The House has already passed a bill to roll back the 20-year mining moratorium, and wilderness advocates expect a Senate vote any day now." Read more: startribune.com/us-senate-upco…

@Nick_Offerman Thank you @Nick_Offerman! Your voice is so important. Come visit anytime!

•The U.S. Senate may hold a floor vote TODAY which would overturn a 20-year moratorium on sulfide-ore copper mining on 225,000 acres of Superior National Forest land in the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) Wilderness in northern Minnesota. The Boundary Waters is the most visited Wilderness in the United States.  🛶 Enjoying the Minnesotan/Canadian wilderness by canoe or other lesser watercraft is one of our nations greatest available pastimes, and one I have personally enjoyed my entire life. We must protect these public lands from the rapacious capitalists threatening to turn them into a poisoned wasteland. •This vote in Congress would open the door to copper mining at the headwaters of this entire ecosystem. This kind of mining produces toxic pollution, including acid runoff and heavy metals, that can contaminate nearby waters. •The Boundary Waters supports a major outdoor economy that sustains thousands of jobs and generates over a billion dollars a year - built on clean water and intact public lands. But this vote would clear the way for toxic mining that puts all of that at risk. It would also set a dangerous precedent, making it easier to roll back protections for public lands across the country, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and national parks.  •This is a defining moment. If you care about clean water, public lands, and protecting places we can’t replace, now is the time to speak up. •Protect the Boundary Waters, and vote NO on House Joint Resolution 140. Let’s save this treasured place for all of us—forever. on.nrdc.org/4csRkwi

Time is being held on the Senate floor tomorrow to vote on a resolution that would dismantle the 20-year mining protections for the Boundary Waters. Call your Senators: (202) 224-3121 – tell them to vote no on HJ Resolution 140. savetheboundarywaters.org/action-center

Today is National Beaver Day! 🦫 To celebrate, we’re launching our brand new “Give a Dam!” sticker designed by Kimberly Boustead. 🛶 Get your sticker today: savetheboundarywaters.org/beaver-sticker

Today is Sigurd Olson's birthday. Sig is a legend among conservationists, paddlers, and those who love Canoe Country. 🛶 He was one of the most influential advocates for the designation and protection of the Boundary Waters. Learn more: open.substack.com/pub/savethebwc…

"As hunters, anglers, and conservationists, we stand on the shoulders of giants from past generations, like President Roosevelt. This is our opportunity to show future generations they, too, stand on the shoulders of giants from this generation." duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/column…

How can the state of Minnesota protect the Boundary Waters? The federal government is moving to roll back protections for the Boundary Waters, and the state of Minnesota has the ultimate power to stop a mine from being built next to the Wilderness. savethebwca.substack.com/p/how-can-the-…

Do you ever “dip” or do you treat your water while you’re in the Boundary Waters? While drinking straight from the lake comes with risks, here are some things for you to consider when treating water in the Boundary Waters! open.substack.com/pub/savethebwc…

This recent piece features interviews with Theodore Roosevelt IV and our board chair, Becky Rom. The discussion draws parallels to the 1990s battle to stop a Canadian company from building a gold mine just outside Yellowstone National Park. Read more: yellowstonian.org/the-boundary-w…

In a rare letter to Republican senators, four descendants of the former president oppose mining near a wilderness area in Minnesota. Read more: bit.ly/4rOgr2B

Great editorial from Jill Burcum in the Star Tribune on why strong protections for the Boundary Waters matter now more than ever and why the Senate’s vote in the coming days is critical in the fight to protect the Wilderness. startribune.com/burcum-the-hou…

A bill just passed the House that would undo the 20-year mining ban in the BWCAW watershed and could bring toxic copper mining right to its doorstep. Next, the bill moves to the Senate. Read this strong opinion piece from Tony Jones. startribune.com/bwca-copper-mi…