Department of Interior Announces 20 Year Protections for the Boundary Waters

Boundary Waters, Minnesota. Image credit: Joe Pohle.

Today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland finalized 20-year protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the surrounding landscape, withdrawing more than 225,000 acres in the Superior National Forest from mining claims.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is home to exceptional recreation opportunities including paddling, hiking, and fishing. With more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes and 2,000 designated campsites, the Boundary Waters is the most-visited Wilderness area in the country. The proposed mining claims posed a significant threat to the area, with a high risk of contaminating water, including the interconnected lakes and waterways of the Boundary Waters.

"We are thrilled to see Secretary Haaland's decision to withdraw the Boundary Waters region from mining for the next 20 years. The Boundary Waters is one of the country's crown jewels for outdoor recreation, with famed flatwater paddling, hiking, and fishing. These protections are a big step, both for the Boundary Waters itself, and for building momentum for natural climate solutions, more outdoor access, and broader protections for biodiversity," said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance.

Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of work that included Outdoor Alliance, Save the Boundary Waters, and many other partners working together to protect this special place.