As we reflect on the April 2026 congressional vote to roll back federal protections around mining near the Boundary Waters, we are reminded that clean water is our shared priority as Minnesotans and environmental leaders. The BWCA is an invaluable place, home to some of the highest quality freshwater ecosystems in the world. Keeping it safe from pollution should be something we can all agree on, regardless of politics.
It is important to note that any proposed mine in this area is still subject to a rigorous and lengthy state permitting process. Freshwater will continue to closely monitor state regulatory processes that evaluate water risk and support science-based policies that protect our waters.
To learn more about this issue, we recommend these resources: