Congress must act to save a beloved landscape from the Trump administration's destruction. Will you sign the petition in support?
Dear MoveOn member,
The Boundary Waters is America's largest wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains and north of the Everglades—and it's currently at risk of being destroyed by one of America's most toxic industries: copper mining.
The Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness in the country, spanning 1.1 million acres. The Trump administration has promised to undo existing protections and has already issued far-reaching executive orders that endanger public lands across the country, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.
But Congress can act to pass the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act which would preserve this natural treasure by permanently withdrawing 225,504 acres of federal land and waters from the federal mining portfolio, banning risky sulfide-ore copper mining.1
We can't let Trump’s anti-environmental agenda destroy this one-of-a-kind natural wonder—sign the petition urging Congress to intervene now.
The water of the Boundary Waters watershed is some of the cleanest in America—the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency calls it "immaculate."2 But if the proposed copper-nickel mine gets built along the rivers and streams flowing into it, pollution and environmental degradation would be unavoidable.
The Boundary Waters is not just a place; it is a symbol of the very best of what America's public lands have to offer: natural beauty, economic stability, recreation, expansive habitat, accessibility, clean air and water, and much more. Sign the petition telling Congress to protect this vital waterway.
100% of copper mining sites experience spills or accidental releases, causing long-term damage to our planet.3 And peer-reviewed science shows pollution from copper mining in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters would permanently damage the extensively interconnected downstream lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
Now more than ever, we must fight for the places we love. Tell Congress to stand up to Trump and pass this critical legislation to protect our natural resources.
This isn't just about the environment; copper mining would also harm the economy in the long term, negatively impacting the recreation industry, depleting the land, and harming local communities.
Millions of people have developed a lifelong love of nature through camping, fishing, paddling, dog sledding, hunting, and hiking in the Boundary Waters. Outdoor recreation in Minnesota is a rapidly growing, $13.5-billion-dollar economy employing thousands of people.4
Congress can champion our public lands by passing legislation to protect the Boundary Waters. Add your name today urging them to act.
Thanks for all you do.
–Associate Director Sam Chadwick and the team at Save the Boundary Waters
Sources:
1. "Historic Boundary Waters legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate," Quetico Superior Wilderness News, April 10, 2025
https://queticosuperior.org/historic-boundary-waters-legislation-introduced-in-the-u-s-senate/
2. "Here's the facts about the Boundary Waters and why we need to protect it from mining," Minnesota Reformer, May 11, 2023
https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/05/11/heres-the-facts-about-the-boundary-waters-and-why-we-need-to-protect-it-from-mining/
3. "Copper Sulfide Mining," Earthworks, accessed May 27, 2025
https://earthworks.org/issues/copper-sulfide-mining/
4. "Minnesotans love the outdoors, and new data proves it," Axios, December 3, 2024
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/12/03/minnesota-outdoor-economy-snow-skiing-snowmobiling-rv-fishing-boating
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