Congress Undoes Boundary Waters Protections Despite Nationwide Public Opposition
MISSOULA, Mont.—Lawmakers voted today to overturn a 20-year mining moratorium protecting the watershed upstream of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, opening the door to sulfide-ore copper mining in one of the most ecologically sensitive and economically vital landscapes in the United States. Despite growing national opposition from a broad coalition of advocates—including Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), which activated its grassroots network across all 50 states—H.J. Res. 140 passed with a 50–49 vote.
The resolution drew criticism early for its unprecedented use of the…
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