Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
Today, the Trump Administration directly threatened the future of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of America’s iconic wilderness areas.
Administration officials announced that the United States Forest Service will allow companies to pursue sulfide ore mining leases immediately adjacent to the Boundary Waters. Today’s announcement also included an abrupt end to an incomplete and never-released environmental study of sulfide mining impacts in the BWCA watershed that was started under the Obama Administration.
Margaret Levin, State Director for the Sierra Club North Star Chapter issued the following statement in response:
“The Sierra Club strongly condemns this decision by the Trump Administration. The Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the country. As a cornerstone of northern Minnesota's economy and a unique piece of our nation’s natural legacy, the Boundary Waters simply must be protected.
“Minnesotans care about each other and our home, the great state of Minnesota. Today's decision further cements the Trump Administration's true vision for Minnesota's future: corrupt cronyism driving corporate profits at the expense of future generations. We continue to stand firmly alongside northern Minnesota’s downstream communities, tribal leaders, businesses and concerned residents as they confront the threat of toxic sulfide mining throughout the region.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.