Save the Boundary Waters Campaign shares update heading into peak of paddling season

As the peak of the 2021 paddling season arrives in July and August, a series of news items, lawsuits and environmental issues continue to swirl around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

While speaking in Grand Marais on the final day of June, Becky Rom, the national chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, shared updates on two federal lawsuits focused on a proposed copper-nickel mine on the edge of the wilderness. The lawsuits were initiated by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW), nine Minnesota businesses, including some in Cook County, and four nationwide conservation groups. These lawsuits are on hold while the Biden administration reviews its position in the reinstatement and renewal of two federal mineral leases held by Twin Metals, according to Rom.

A third federal lawsuit brought by NMW, the Wilderness Society and the Center for Biological Diversity that challenged 13 prospecting permits held by Twin Metals has been settled, and the public will be provided an opportunity to comment on the prospecting permits, Rom said.

Furthermore, a state lawsuit brought by NMW challenging Minnesota’s nonferrous mining rules has been settled, and the public will be provided an opportunity to comment on the adequacy of the state rules to protect the Boundary Waters.

While in Grand Marais sharing updates from the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, Rom spoke with WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs about ongoing efforts to protect the most visited wilderness area in the country. The audio below is their conversation.

Joe Friedrichs July 4, 2021