1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to vote NO on H.J. Res. 140, the resolution that would overturn the 20-year mining moratorium protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This vote is not just about a parcel of land; it is a test of whether Congress will protect one of America's greatest national treasures or surrender it to a foreign mining conglomerate with a terrible track record. I have had the privilege of visiting the Boundary Waters, and it was a truly magical experience. The silence, broken only by the call of a loon; the pristine waters you can drink straight from the lake; the ancient rocks and forests that make you feel small in the best way—it is a place that gets into your soul. It is the most visited wilderness in the United States for a reason, and it deserves our unwavering protection so that my children and grandchildren can have that same profound experience . The outdoor recreation economy it supports contributes over $17 million annually to the local economy and supports thousands of jobs, proving that preservation is economically sound . H.J. Res. 140 is a dangerous and unprecedented power grab. It abuses the Congressional Review Act to overturn a Public Land Order for the first time in history, setting a terrible precedent that would allow Congress to dismantle protections for any public land with a simple majority vote, bypassing science and public input . This isn't about regulatory procedure; it's about silencing the hundreds of thousands of Americans, including over 95% of public commenters, who have voiced their support for protecting this watershed . Furthermore, this resolution serves the interests of a single beneficiary: Antofagasta Plc, a Chilean mining company . Its proposed copper-nickel mine, located less than a mile from the Boundary Waters, poses an existential threat. The science is clear: sulfide-ore copper mining in a water-rich environment like this inevitably leads to acid mine drainage and toxic heavy metal pollution that can never be fully contained or reversed . The argument that this mine serves "national security" or "America First" interests is a fallacy. Antofagasta has contracts to ship the ore to China for smelting and sale on the global market . We would be accepting all the environmental risk for none of the economic benefit. The descendants of Theodore Roosevelt, the conservationist president who established the Superior National Forest that contains the Boundary Waters, have written to Congress pleading for its protection . They called this resolution "the opposite of America First" and urged senators to reject it to preserve their great-grandfather's legacy. I echo their plea. Please stand with the hunters, anglers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts who treasure this place. Please stand with the scientists and the local economies that depend on clean water. Please uphold the conservation legacy that has defined our nation for over a century. Vote NO on H.J. Res. 140 and protect the Boundary Waters for future generations.