Representative Lowenthal defends public lands, champions the Boundary Waters  

Why does the Trump administration seem so eager to open the BWCA to sulfide mining? What prompted their decision to renew Twin Metals’ expired mineral leases?  

As reported earlier, documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show ample evidence that Antofagasta, the Chilean-owned mining company, lobbied the administration to help further its plans to open up shop at the edge of the Boundary Waters

Now, congress is paying attention.

On March 12, 2019, Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-California) chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, held a hearing in which he sought answers from Department of the Interior (DOI) officials.

 The video below shows Rep. Lowenthal question the legality of renewing the mineral leases. He then questions why Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue went back on his word and cancelled the study on the proposed mineral withdrawal in parts of the Superior National Forest.

“Our natural resources are not reserves that need to be booked, so our stock prices stay high and our investors stay happy. Our public lands are an investment that we’re holding for our grandchildren, and their grandchildren, and generations beyond.”

-Representative Lowenthal