1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the Congressional resolution that would strip away mining protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. This resolution represents a dangerous bypass of the democratic process and threatens one of America's most treasured wilderness areas. The Boundary Waters spans over 1 million acres with more than 1,000 lakes, unspoiled forests, and 1,200 miles of rivers and streams. A 20-year mining ban currently protects this watershed from toxic copper mining, but the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta and its Congressional allies are attempting to eliminate these safeguards to build the Twin Metals copper-nickel mine upstream from the wilderness. This mine would cause permanent destruction of habitat for hundreds of species including wolves, moose, loons, lynx, and walleye. The wilderness area sustains thousands of jobs in the region's outdoor tourism economy, which would be devastated by mining pollution. Despite industry claims about creating a domestic supply of critical minerals, Antofagasta actually intends to ship its product abroad to be processed and sold offshore, meaning Americans would bear all the environmental costs while receiving minimal economic benefit. Conservationists, hunters, anglers, small business owners, and local residents have fought for years to protect the Boundary Waters. This Congressional maneuver ignores their voices and the voices of millions of Americans who value this irreplaceable wilderness. The Boundary Waters has been used for generations for canoeing, camping, and hiking, and once destroyed by mining pollution, it cannot be restored. I ask you to stand with the people who depend on and cherish the Boundary Waters by voting against this resolution. Our natural resources and beautiful places deserve protection through proper democratic processes, not backroom deals that benefit foreign mining corporations at the expense of American wilderness and communities.