Boundary Waters advocates push state protections as federal mineral ban faces senate vote
As Minnesota’s legislative session begins Feb. 17, advocates for protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are highlighting several bills aimed at strengthening state-level protections.
For the past three years, a public land order issued during the Biden administration has enforced a mineral withdrawal in the Rainy River Watershed, just outside the Boundary Waters. The U.S. Senate is now awaiting a vote on Joint Resolution 140, which would rescind that public land order and end the federal mineral withdrawal.
If the federal withdrawal is overturned, attention would shift to Minnesota lawmakers and pending state legislation.
“We have the ability here in Minnesota, as Minnesotans, to stand up for our state and for the Boundary Waters,” Chris Knopf, Executive Director of Friends of the Boundary Waters, told WTIP.
To raise awareness, Friends of the Boundary Waters is planning a rally Feb. 25 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul to advocate for the proposed bills.
The legislation includes measures that would establish permanent protections against copper-nickel mining in the Rainy River Watershed and proposals that would prohibit the state from issuing mining permits to companies found to have violated international laws related to corruption, bribery or environmental destruction.
Supporters are also backing a “Prove It First” proposal that would require mining companies to demonstrate that similar projects have operated safely elsewhere, and a Taxpayer Protection Act intended to prevent public funds from being used to cover environmental cleanup costs.
Knopf said the proposals address environmental risks and financial liabilities associated with sulfide-ore copper mining.
Opposition to additional Boundary Waters protections has largely fallen along party lines. Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers sponsored the aforementioned bills, while Republicans have generally opposed additional restrictions on mining. Some DFL lawmakers, including Sen. Grant Hauschild, have previously expressed reservations about additional mining restrictions.
Control of the Minnesota legislature is split. The DFL holds a one-seat majority in the Senate, while the House is tied at 67 seats each.
The outcome of Joint Resolution 140, combined with Minnesota’s divided government and pending mine proposals in northeastern Minnesota, could make mining policy a central issue in the 2026 election cycle. All 67 Minnesota Senate seats, all 134 Minnesota House seats and the governor’s office will be on the ballot.
WTIP reached out to Twin Metals and MiningMinnesota regarding the upcoming legislative session. They did not comment before this article was posted.
WTIP spoke with Chris Knopf regarding his recent visit to Grand Marais, the educational work of Friends of the Boundary Waters, and more. You can find the audio of that conversation below.
Josh Hinke February 4, 2026
