Dear John, 

Yesterday we did a happy dance when the Biden administration announced the cancelation of Twin Metals’ two federal mineral leases. These leases were unlawfully renewed in 2019 (a Trump administration action we’ve fought in court), and their cancelation now blocks the most immediate mine threatening the Boundary Waters.

This is a hard-fought and victorious step towards the permanent protection of our beloved Wilderness! You can help us turn the Boundary Waters into a forever Wilderness by staying with us during our most critical moments to come this year!

Check out the great media attention this breaking news has received already, along with the outpouring of support from local Boundary Waters businesses and other allies below, and don’t forget to share the celebratory announcement on social media and with your friends.

Read our blog for more on the major implications of yesterday’s announcement and join us for our webinar at noon CT today to hear more about the announcement.

Here are just a few of the headlines:

• The Minnesota Star Tribune: Biden Administration cancels leases for controversial copper-nickel mine near Boundary Waters 

• The Washington Post: Biden Administration cancels two mining leases near Minnesota wilderness, in reversal of Trump-era decision
  
  
• Minnesota Public Radio: Biden administration cancels Twin Metals’ leases to mine near BWCA
  
  
• The New York Times: Biden Administration Cancels Mining Leases Near Wilderness Area
  
  
• Huffington Post: Biden Administration Revokes Mining Leases Near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters
  
  
• Ely Timberjay: Biden administration cancels Twin Metals mineral leases

Here’s what Boundary Waters champions and advocates had to say about yesterday’s news:

From Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee: Grijalva Commends Biden Administration, DOI, for Protecting Boundary Waters, Superior National Forest

“I applaud the Biden administration for thoughtfully reviewing the shady legal underpinnings of these two leases and coming to today’s decision. These potential mines threatened the health and safety of the American people, as well as one of our most cherished natural places,” Grijalva said. “The record is clear, putting this type of mining right next to the Boundary Waters would have been an environmental disaster. I will continue working with my colleagues to make sure the Boundary Waters is permanently protected so that future generations of Americans can similarly enjoy this pristine area.”

From Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN), Vice Chair of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, author of HR 2794, the Boundary Waters Protection and Pollution Prevention Act: McCollum Declares Monumental Victory For Boundary Waters

“For the better part of a decade, I have been fighting to protect the pristine 1.1 million acres of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) from toxic mining pollution. The Biden administration’s cancellation of two Twin Metals leases that threatened this watershed is a rejection of the deeply flawed and politically motivated process under the Trump administration and a victory for sound science and protecting a precious and irreplaceable natural resource.

The Boundary Waters is a national treasure that belongs to all Americans, and I am absolutely committed to ensuring its watershed will be permanently protected. Some places are simply too special to mine, and it is our obligation to ensure these unique and valuable lands and waters remain intact for generations to come.”

From Steve Piragis, Co-Owner, Piragis Northwoods Company, Ely, MN

"This is a banner day for us - this represents a major lifting of a dark cloud that has hung over Ely. We're an outdoor retailer, a significant employer in Ely and contributor to the Boundary Waters region economy. We feel that our business is at stake here. If we don't save the Boundary Waters, people like me and my family, and the families that work with are in danger of losing what we've worked so hard on for 42 years. We have a ways to go - we need permanent protection from sulfide-ore copper mining. This will be beneficial to businesses in Ely. The science is simple and well illustrated all over this country; the damaging effects of sulfide ore mining simply cannot be controlled. Downstream of the proposed Twin Metals mine on the Kawishiwi River and Birch lake is 250 million dollars of property on the White Iron change of lakes, some of the best fishing in Minnesota on Basswood and Crooked lakes."

Read more reactions in our press release here. 

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