Tell the Trump Administration: No Mining in the Boundary Waters!

In 2016, the U.S. Forest Service concluded that sulfide-ore copper mining in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness posed inherent risks of serious harm to the "unique, iconic, and irreplaceable wilderness area" and withheld its consent to renewal of the only two federal mineral leases in the Superior National Forest; the leases were then cancelled.

On December 20th, 2018, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released an Environmental Assessment of the two cancelled federal mineral leases and reversed the Obama Administration's decision, announcing that it's renewing those leases. This flies in the face of science and good government.

Tuesday, January 22nd is the deadline for comments. Tell the Trump administration and the BLM that sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters is unacceptable.

Subject: No sulfide-ore mining leases in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters

Your Letter:

In 2016, the U.S. Forest Service -- following both its legal duty and sound science -- determined that sulfide-ore mining in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters is not safe. The decision to renew properly cancelled mining leases is an improper legal maneuver that poses an unacceptable risk to one of our nation's last pristine places. Further, the BLM is considering granting these leases without United States Forest Service consent or appropriate environmental review. This outrageous action also risks:

- Reinstating two expired federal mineral leases -- effectively treating expired 20-year leases as 63-year leases.

- Ignoring state and federal water quality laws and regulations protective of the Boundary Waters and Voyageurs.

- Ignoring Wilderness laws protecting the Boundary Waters and the rest of the Superior National Forest.

- Ignoring the U.S. -- Canada Boundary Waters Treaty protective of Quetico Provincial Park

- Ignoring the 1854 Treaty with Ojibway tribes.

Do not renew these expired leases. Side with the more than 250,000 Americans who expect full protection of the Boundary Waters. Fulfill your duty as the federal protectors of public land.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Street*

Street 2

City*

State/Province*

Zip/Postal Code*