Dear John,
We have great news to share with you! Today the Biden administration announced it has canceled the two federal mining leases held by Twin Metals.
These leases would have allowed Twin Metals to develop a sulfide-ore copper mine right next to the Boundary Waters. This move stops Twin Metals’ proposed mine just upstream of America’s most popular Wilderness.
"Today is a major win for Boundary Waters protection. This action by the Biden administration re-establishes the long-standing legal consensus of five presidential administrations and marks a return of the rule of law. It also allows for science-based decision-making on where risky mining is inappropriate. Twin Metals’ leases should never have been reinstated in the first place, and this announcement should halt the Twin Metals threat.”
- Becky Rom, National Chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters
Want to learn more about what this big news means for our effort to permanently protect the Boundary Waters? RSVP for our webinar tomorrow, January 27 at 12 pm CST, where National Save the Boundary Waters Campaign Chair Becky Rom and The Wilderness Society Senior Legal Director Alison Flint will provide insight into what this announcement means.
Canceling these mining leases is a critical step in the effort to permanently protect the Boundary Waters from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining, but let’s be clear: the fight is not over.
The Boundary Waters is a forever Wilderness. With your support, Save the Boundary Waters will continue to advocate for this incredible landscape until we enact permanent and lasting protections against the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining.
Here’s what stakeholders are saying about this historic news:
Dave and Nancy Seaton, Hungry Jack Outfitters, Gunflint Trail MN
“Clean water is more valuable than copper. Healthy forests are more valuable than nickel. Accessible wilderness is more valuable to the world's citizens than corporate profit. Last I checked, they aren't making any more wilderness.”
Jason Zabokrtsky, Owner, Ely Outfitting Company in Ely MN
“The Boundary Waters is an economic engine that supports wilderness edge communities. Protecting this national treasure from risky sulfide ore copper mining is vital to the local communities and regional economies that depend on clean water, healthy forests and a pristine Boundary Waters Wilderness.”
Professor Tadd M. Johnson, Esq., Member of Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, MN
“Indigenous peoples sought sustenance and spirituality from this place from time immemorial. On the outskirts of the Boundary Waters, and inside of this wilderness, my family lived and thrived for generations. This is a place of pristine air, clear water, tall pines, wildlife, ancient cliffs and adventure. Those who came before us had the wisdom to preserve it, and we must respect their wisdom. It must be preserved.”
Brenda Halter, former Supervisor, Superior National Forest, MN
“The proposed Twin Metals mine is neither ecologically nor economically sustainable. Once the mine fails, there is simply no way to contain it without sacrificing the wilderness and the long-term economic sustainability that it supports. All of the science and all of our experience tell us that in this extremely valuable, water-rich and highly interconnected place, you simply cannot have both.”
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Ely, MN 55731
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