Today, the Senate voted to roll back protections for the Boundary Waters region, one of the most iconic outdoor places in the country. The final vote was 50:49.

Back in January, the House voted to remove protections for the Boundary Waters, clearing the way for toxic copper mining in its headwaters. The bill now goes to the President’s desk for a signature.

Lawmakers used an obscure tool called the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn protections for the Boundary Waters. This approach is unprecedented and dangerous: mineral withdrawals like the Boundary Waters protections have never been treated as eligible for rescission under the CRA, and the passage of this CRA means it will bar all future administrative protections for the area. Not only is this decision devastating for the Boundary Waters, it sets a bad precedent that puts public lands across the country at risk.

For paddlers, anglers, hikers, and campers, the Boundary Waters is irreplaceable. Its interconnected lakes and rivers support world-class recreation, clean water, wildlife habitat, and a thriving outdoor recreation economy that sustains thousands of local jobs. Sulfide-ore copper mining in this watershed carries a high risk of acid mine drainage and heavy metal pollution. This damage would be permanent and incompatible with wilderness recreation.

Louis Geltman, Outdoor Alliance’s VP for Policy and Government Relations, said ““The Boundary Waters is one of America’s most treasured outdoor landscapes, celebrated for its world-class paddling, hiking, and fishing opportunities. This iconic region is vital to the outdoor recreation community and part of the growing outdoor economy. Proposed foreign mining projects are a direct threat to the area’s waters, wildlife, and outdoor experiences and American jobs that depend on them. The outdoor recreation community strongly supports protections for the Boundary Waters and strongly opposes efforts to rescind protections.”

The outdoor recreation community showed up in force for the Boundary Waters, writing tens of thousands of letters. Today’s vote runs counter to overwhelming public sentiment as well as the vast majority of Minnesota's delegation, opening the door to harmful development in one of our most treasured landscapes.

And yet, the worst thing we could do right now is give up. Lawmakers should know that their disregard for voters' opinions will have consequences and that starts with letting them know what you thought of their vote. Following up after a decision is one of the most effective advocacy moves we have—it shows that the outdoor community is paying attention and expects accountability.

Take action today and tell Congress what you think.

Congress Rolls Back Protections for the Boundary Waters