At Minnesota’s northeastern border, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) spans over 1.1 million acres of pristine lakes, dense forests, and serene waterways. It is well known for its canoe camping opportunities but also offers hiking, dog sledding, hunting, fishing, and more. Each year, it draws over 165,000 visitors from around the globe, contributing significantly to the regional economy by supporting hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs. However, this treasured Wilderness faces the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining, a risk that could be revived by Project 2025 — a sweeping policy agenda proposed by the Heritage Foundation and supported by many conservative candidates.
What is Project 2025?
Project 2025 is a comprehensive policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation. It promotes a collection of conservative policies and initiatives aimed at overhauling the U.S. federal government. This ominous plan includes the intent of rolling back numerous environmental protections and dismantling federal regulatory frameworks that safeguard public lands, water resources, and wildlife.
While it encompasses a wide range of policy changes across various sectors, its potential impact on natural areas like the Boundary Waters is particularly alarming.
The Project 2025 plan language includes:
“Abandon withdrawals of lands from leasing in the Thompson Divide of the White River National Forest, Colorado; the 10-mile buffer around Chaco Cultural Historic National Park in New Mexico (restoring the compromise forged in the Arizona Wilderness Act); and the Boundary Waters area in northern Minnesota if those withdrawals have not been completed. Meanwhile, revisit associated leases and permits for energy and mineral production in these areas in consultation with state elected officials.”
In 2023, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed a Public Land Order (PLO) protecting the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining. The PLO, also called a mineral withdrawal, bans toxic mining on 225,504 acres of Superior National Forest land in the watershed of the Boundary Waters and upstream of the Wilderness. Project 2025 seeks to “abandon” this historic protection for the Wilderness and seek permits and leasing for toxic copper mines that would pollute the Boundary Waters.
Why the Boundary Waters Would Be Affected
Here are additional ways Project 2025 could reverse our progress toward permanently protecting the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining:
Deregulation: One of the main goals of Project 2025 is to reduce or eliminate regulations enforced by federal agencies. If these safeguards are weakened, it could lead to increased industrial exploitation, posing a significant risk to the Boundary Waters and threatening its clean waters and unspoiled forests. Without strong oversight, activities such as mining could proceed with little consideration for environmental consequences.
Policy Shifts: Project 2025 could see a policy shift that paves the way for toxic sulfide-ore copper mining upstream of the Boundary Waters. This could include more bills being introduced into Congress aimed at stripping away existing protections and fast-track destructive extractive projects. These legislative efforts would prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term environmental consequences.
Influence on the Judiciary: The project also aims to reshape the federal judiciary, appointing judges who are more aligned with conservative values. This could influence how environmental laws are interpreted and enforced. If the judiciary becomes more lenient on environmental issues, ongoing or future legal battles over the Boundary Waters could face increased challenges. The new judicial appointments might be less inclined to uphold the stringent protections currently in place to protect the Wilderness.
Economic and Social Considerations
While proponents of Project 2025 argue that deregulation will spur economic growth and reduce government intervention, it is crucial to consider the broader and long-term implications. The Boundary Waters supports a robust outdoor recreation economy, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who contribute to local businesses through tourism. The degradation of this natural resource, and even the uncertainty around its protection, could lead to a decline in tourism and the broader amenity-based economy, adversely affecting local communities. Wilderness-edge communities and businesses that rely on the Wilderness are supported by the confidence provided by a permanently protected Canoe Country.
Boundary Waters protection is popular - throughout the U.S. Forest Service Environmental Review process that resulted in the 20-year ban on copper mining in the watershed, over 675,000 people commented in favor of Boundary Waters protections. Further, 70% of Minnesotans support permanent protection for the Wilderness. There is no social license for the destruction of the Boundary Waters.
Taking Action
Protecting the Boundary Waters requires collective action and advocacy. Organizations, local communities, and concerned individuals must come together to voice their opposition and push for sustainable alternatives that do not compromise the integrity of this natural wonder. By promoting policies that prioritize conservation and responsible stewardship, we can ensure that the Boundary Waters remains a sanctuary for future generations to enjoy.
Get ready to submit your ballot this November. Vote for Boundary Waters Champions and help protect this incredible Wilderness.
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