The pristine wilderness of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) faces immediate and severe threats that require your action now. As one of America’s most treasured wilderness areas, this million-acre network of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota stands at a critical crossroads.

Three Imminent Threats to Our Wilderness

1. Reinstating Twin Metals’ Mineral Leases

The Trump administration is poised to illegally reinstate Twin Metals’ expired mineral leases, repeating actions taken during Trump’s first term. This move would likely coordinate with efforts to lift the 20-year mining ban, creating a two-pronged attack that would open the fragile ecosystem surrounding the Boundary Waters to destructive mining operations.

2. Canceling the Moratorium on Mining

We anticipate attempts to lift the crucial 20-year mining ban on federal land surrounding the Boundary Waters—either through Executive Order or administrative process. This ban was established based on a comprehensive two-year scientific study, and its reversal would be both illegal and environmentally devastating. We are prepared to vigorously challenge such actions in court.

3. The Mining Industry’s Dream Law: HR H.R.978

This dangerous federal bill re-introduced in 2025 represents perhaps the most serious threat of all. H.R.978 would:

1. Lift the existing mining ban
2. Reinstate Twin Metals’ expired leases
3. Prevent any judicial review of these actions
4. Impose an unreasonable 18-month deadline to complete federal environmental reviews—making meaningful assessment of mining impacts on water, land, and air virtually impossible

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Our Three Circles of Protection

At Friends of the Boundary Waters, we’ve developed a comprehensive strategy to defend this precious wilderness. Here’s how we’re fighting back:

1. Litigation

Our legal team has successfully fought back copper-sulfide mining proposals for more than a decade. Working with allies and partners, we have achieved astonishing victories and gained invaluable experience. We have the resources, passion and strength to fight for this magical wilderness.

2. Legislation

Working with Native Nations, elected officials, and thousands of citizens, we have grown a clean water coalition that is working to pass multiple bills into the Minnesota State Legislature. These laws would hinder the Trump administration and strengthen protections for the Boundary Waters.

3. Citizens

Even if the Trump administration steamrolls federal protections for the Boundary Waters, Twin Metals would need to acquire multiple state permits. Friends and our citizen action network plan to serve as a watchdog, holding state agencies to account and ensuring they uphold the laws designed to protect people and the environment.

Join Us in Defending the Boundary Waters

Your involvement is critical to our success. Contact your representatives to express support for strong protections. Join our citizen action network to stay informed about opportunities to speak up. And please consider supporting our work through donations that fund our legal battles, advocacy efforts, and education campaigns.

Take Legislative Action – write to your congressperson to make a difference in this urgent fight.

Together, we can ensure that the wilderness we love remains wild for generations to come.