What’s at Stake for the Boundary Waters and Its Watershed

New Congressional Action Could Remove Protections for the Boundary Waters

For more than a century, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northern Minnesota has represented something rare in the American landscape: a vast, intact network of lakes, forests, and waterways preserved for public use and future generations.

It is a place where people paddle for days without seeing a road. Where water runs clear between granite outcrops and boreal forests. Where families fish, hunt, and camp in one of the few remaining backcountry ecosystems of its scale in the Lower 48.

Today, that landscape faces one of the most significant policy threats in its history.

The Legislative Threat: H.J. Res. 140

In January 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution 140 (H.J. Res. 140). This resolution specifically targets a 20-year federal withdrawal finalized in 2023, which protected 225,000 acres of public land in the Rainy River watershed. This watershed is the literal lifeblood of the Boundary Waters—the headwaters that feed every lake and stream in the wilderness.

As of March 2026, the battle has shifted to the Senate floor. Unlike typical legislation, H.J. Res. 140 is a 'fast-track' resolution. It bypasses the usual hurdles, meaning a simple majority could decide the fate of the Rainy River headwaters by the end of April. We aren't just looking at a temporary policy shift; we are looking at a potential permanent gag order on future conservation efforts in this region. This is why the 'new school' needs to be loud. Your Senators need to hear that the Boundary Waters isn't a bargaining chip — it's a legacy."

Sulfide-Ore Mining: A Risk Too Great

At the center of this debate is the proposed Twin Metals project, backed by a multi-national mining corporation. The plan involves sulfide-ore copper mining directly upstream from the wilderness.

Unlike traditional iron mining, sulfide-ore mining carries a massive environmental asterisk: acid mine drainage. When sulfide minerals are exposed to air and water, they create sulfuric acid. In a water-rich environment like the Boundary Waters, where everything is interconnected, even a small leak can spread heavy metal contamination across hundreds of miles.

We understand the need for domestic minerals for a modern world. But as many conservationists including birders, hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts have said: America needs minerals, but this is not the place. The margin for error in the Boundary Waters is zero. You can’t "un-pollute" a glacial lake once the acid hits the bedrock.

How to Protect the BWCAW

The April Deadline is coming, the Senate has until the end of next month to decide if the Boundary Waters remains protected or becomes a mining district. For those who care about the Boundary Waters and about the future of public land protection more broadly, there are several ways to engage:

Contact Your U.S. Senators

Constituents can call or email their senators to express views on H.J. Res. 140. Lawmakers track these contacts, and they can influence how offices prioritize issues.

Follow Trusted Information Sources

Staying informed through reputable conservation organizations, regional news outlets, and public land groups helps ensure that advocacy is based on accurate, current information

Support Organizations Working on Public Lands

Many nonprofit groups are actively involved in research, legal advocacy, and community engagement around this issue. Supporting their work helps sustain long-term efforts.

For generations, Americans across political lines have agreed that the Boundary Waters is a place held in trust. From President Theodore Roosevelt’s first protections in 1909 to the Wilderness Act of 1964, the consensus has been clear: some landscapes are worth more than the minerals beneath them.

The Boundary Waters is a place where you can still hear the wings of a loon before you see it. It’s a place of quiet discovery and wild wonder. Let’s make sure it stays that way!

LEARN MORE + TAKE ACTION