1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Please vote against opening the Boundary Waters to mining. The House just passed a vote that would pave the way for copper mining near the 1.1-million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. If this resolution passes, it will reverse a 20-year mining ban and make it easier for private corporations to exploit our public lands. The Boundary Waters is the country’s most visited wilderness area, well-loved by generations of paddlers, anglers, and hikers. It’s also one of the cleanest and largest sources of fresh water in the US. Giving private corporations the right to pollute here is not only shortsighted, but it could be catastrophic for the health of millions of Americans. Despite attempts to privatize our public lands, the overwhelming consensus is clear: Public lands deserve to be protected and belong to the people.