1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the Congressional Review Act resolution introduced by Representative Pete Stauber that would overturn the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This ban, which protects approximately 225,000 acres of federal land in the Superior National Forest, is essential to safeguarding one of America's most treasured wilderness areas. The Boundary Waters attracts more than 150,000 visitors annually from around the world and supports a thriving tourism and recreation-based economy. Copper nickel mining within the watershed that flows into this million-acre wilderness of interconnected lakes and rivers poses unacceptable risks of pollution that could devastate this ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. As Representative Betty McCollum stated during the House floor debate, water is the world's most critical natural resource and must be protected for future generations. Some places are simply too precious to mine. The economic arguments for mining are also questionable. Twin Metals Minnesota, which would benefit from overturning this ban, is a subsidiary of the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta. As Representative Jared Huffman noted, there is no guarantee that minerals extracted from this site would stay in the United States or benefit American national security. Most would likely be sent to China, undermining claims about domestic mineral security. The existing tourism and recreation economy provides sustainable, long-term jobs without the environmental risks associated with copper nickel mining. Protecting the Boundary Waters watershed ensures that thousands of jobs in guiding, hospitality, and outdoor recreation continue for generations without threatening the water quality that makes this region special. I strongly urge you to stand with those who prioritize clean water and sustainable economic development over short-term extraction that benefits foreign corporations. Please oppose any effort to overturn the mining ban near the Boundary Waters.