Draft Environmental Assessment Finds Major Risk To Boundary Waters From Sulfide-ore Copper Mining

Statement

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released a draft environmental assessment today for a proposed 20-year ban on sulfide-ore copper mining on federal lands in the watershed of the Boundary Waters. A mineral withdrawal for the Boundary Waters watershed was first proposed in 2016 before being canceled at the last minute by the Trump administration, suppressing the study results.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement:

"The draft Environmental Assessment (EA) issued today by the U.S. Forest Service makes it clear that sulfide-ore copper mining in the Superior National Forest is a toxic threat to the Boundary Waters," Rep. McCollum said. "This pristine, precious wilderness demands permanent protection. The EA's scientific foundation leaves no doubt: it is simply too risky to mine in this location. The proposed 20-year withdrawal is absolutely justified -- and to avoid the type of political intervention we previously saw from the Trump administration, my legislation must pass to permanently protect this federal Wilderness and the interests of the American people in perpetuity."

Learn more about H.R. 2794, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act here.

A 30-day comment period follows the release of the draft Environmental Assessment. After the agency reviews the public comments, the EA will be finalized and delivered to the Bureau of Land Management, which will present it to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for a decision.

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