Hi John,

Alex here - I’m back in DC this week fighting hard for the Boundary Waters. 

We received word late last week that Rep. Stauber’s extreme anti-wilderness bill would be up for a vote this week. Despite our tireless effort to meet with Representatives and urge them to VOTE NO, Rep. Stauber’s terrible bill passed tonight by a vote of 212-203. 

You know by now that Rep. Stauber does the opposite of what his constituents want for MN’s clean water: the majority of people in his district want the Boundary Waters protected. Yet, he’s pushed through a bill that would open its headwaters to mining.

His bill would:

1. Rescind the Public Land Order that banned copper mining on 225,504 acres of federal public lands next to the BWCA for 20 years

2. Order the issuance of every mineral lease and prospecting permit canceled or denied since 2021

3. Order the completion of environmental review on an expedited timeline 

4. Block judicial review of federal mineral leases or prospecting permits     

WHAT: Help us step up our congressional fight for one of America’s last truly Wild places - the Boundary Waters.

WHY: Because the Wilderness can’t speak for itself. We need supporters like you to speak up.

HOW: Help us make 2024 the year for the Boundary Waters. Commit to being a Boundary Waters Action Fund contributor with a gift of any amount. 

I’m here advocating with Matthew Schultz of Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, a partner organization that works to protect the integrity of the Boundary Waters watersheds for fishable and huntable populations of fish and wildlife now and forever.

But Twin Metals’ lobbying team has been out here on the Hill too, and they’ve got deep pockets. Don’t forget that Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta has spent over $1.5 million in the past two years lobbying for its Twin Metals project.  

This is America’s most visited Wilderness and we won’t stop fighting for the Boundary Waters.

The consequences of this bill are dire. We cannot afford to lose our Boundary Waters and allow the hard work of dedicated advocates to be overturned. 

P.S. The Boundary Waters Action Fund is an important aspect in the fight to protect the Boundary Waters. It is the electoral wing of the coalition to protect the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining. We are a federally recognized 501(c)4 that can engage in election-related activities. Your support allows us to influence candidates, elected officials, and voters in this coming election to protect the Boundary Waters for all generations to come.

Prepared and Paid for by Boundary Waters Action Fund. Boundary Waters Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliate of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and the political arm of Save the Boundary Waters. Donations to Boundary Waters Action Fund are not tax deductible. 

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Save the Boundary Waters
P.O. Box 625
Ely, MN 55731
United States