Tag

Boundary Waters

All articles tagged with #boundary waters

environment7 days ago•5 min saved

Walz uses executive authority to shield Boundary Waters from copper mining

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order directing state agencies to block copper, nickel and other nonferrous mining within the Boundary Waters watershed, halt new environmental reviews for such proposals, and refrain from cooperating with federal reviews. The move effectively ends the Twin Metals project near Ely, underscores a political clash over mining in the Duluth Complex, and is non-permanent, potentially reversible by future administrations or legislation. The action follows a complex history of federal decisions on mineral withdrawals and mining bans in the BWCA region.

via MPR News|

#boundary-waters #copper-mining #environment

environment1 month ago•4 min saved

Boundary Waters closures eyed for targeted reopening as planners map safe corridors

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permit cancellations stay in effect through Friday as officials coordinate with partner agencies to identify corridors that can open safely while maintaining rescue capacity; not all closures automatically lift when the overall order expires on Oct. 1. Separately, northeastern Minnesota wildfires show progress under cooler, wetter conditions with rainfall, though fire activity remains a concern and resources are ramping up (nearly 1,000 personnel, Wildfire Preparedness Level 4). The July Lightning Incident has burned about 63,594 acres in the U.S. and 8,412 in Canada, with more crews and trainings planned as conditions may worsen again in August/September.

via MPR News|

#boundary-waters #closures #environment

environment1 month ago•7 min saved

Frantic dawn escape: brothers survive Boundary Waters wildfire

Two brothers on a 10‑day paddling trip in Quetico near the Boundary Waters faced a fast‑moving crown fire that surrounded their campsites. After sheltering through the night and triggering a satellite SOS, they paddled and portaged through smoke‑filled lakes to safety, ultimately being rescued at Prairie Portage by Willy Vosburgh as the wilderness closed. The harrowing ordeal included near‑zero visibility, burning trees and ground fires, underscoring the danger wildfires pose in Minnesota’s backcountry.

via MPR News|

#boundary-waters #environment #evacuation

local1 month ago•5 min saved

Harrowing evacuations as Boundary Waters closes amid wildfires

As large wildfires forced the closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Forest Service evacuated an estimated 6,000–10,000 visitors. Campers recounted tense, smoke-filled escapes by canoe, embers falling on evacuees, and urgent orders to leave as fires engulfed campsites around Pipestone Bay and Basswood Lake; outfitters and Forest Service crews helped transport people by boat, with some groups evacuated well into the evening amid deteriorating air quality.

via MPR News|

#boundary-waters #canoeing #evacuations

environment1 month ago•11 min saved

Boundary Waters Wilderness Shuts Down as Wildfire Risk Surges in NE Minnesota

A cluster of wildfires sparked by a recent lightning storm and extreme heat/dry conditions has forced the U.S. Forest Service to close all BWCAW entry points from July 14–17, with evacautions and automatic permit refunds under way. Minnesota DNR fire restrictions cover non-federal lands, and Gov. Walz issued a peacetime emergency to mobilize resources as 17 BWCAW-area fires—including Dark Fire/Bear Trap, Thumb, Sioux, Wolfpack, and Echo 2—trigger evacuations and affect areas around Ely, Crane Lake, Echo Trail, and Lac La Croix. Federal and state agencies, including the Minnesota National Guard, are coordinating suppression and emergency response in a combined effort to protect communities and resources amid continued warm, dry conditions and forecasted fire risk.

via The Ely Echo|

#boundary-waters #closure #environment

local4 months ago•5 min saved

Walker Ends Cardamom Tie After QR-Ordering Move, Plus BWCA Ban Reversal and More Flyover News

In Minnesota, the Walker Art Center ends its relationship with Cardamom after the restaurant shifts to QR-based ordering; the Flyover roundup also notes the Senate overturning the Boundary Waters mining ban, journalist Georgia Fort speaking about the arrest aftermath, and Le Burger earning national praise as a top new burger spot.

via Racket MN|

#boundary-waters #cardamom #georgia-fort

politics4 months ago•5 min saved

Senate reverses Boundary Waters mining ban, unlocking Chilean-backed copper project

The Senate narrowly voted 50-49 to overturn Biden’s 20-year mining moratorium in Minnesota’s Superior National Forest via the Congressional Review Act, clearing the way for Twin Metals Minnesota—an Antofagasta subsidiary—to restart plans to mine copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum near the Boundary Waters. Democrats and environmentalists warn of water pollution, while supporters hail a win for mining and jobs; the measure has House support and is headed to President Trump for signature.

via CNBC|

#antofagasta #boundary-waters #mining-moratorium

politics4 months ago•7 min saved

Senate Clears Path for Copper-Nickel Mine Near Boundary Waters

The Senate narrowly approved a resolution to repeal a moratorium and allow new mining across more than 225,000 acres of the Superior National Forest near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a move that would enable Twin Metals Minnesota (a unit of Antofagasta) to pursue a copper-nickel mine close to the protected lakes and forests. The House has already passed the measure, and it goes to President Trump, who is expected to sign. Environmentalists, Native American tribes, and fishing/hunting groups have warned of water contamination and ecological damage, while supporters say the mine would provide domestic minerals and jobs; the Biden administration previously banned mining there until 2043, complicating Twin Metals’ plans.

via The New York Times|

#antofagasta #boundary-waters #congressional-review-act

politics7 months ago•15 min saved

Congress Moves to Open Boundary Waters to Mining

The U.S. House voted to lift the decades-old mining ban near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, potentially enabling copper mining near the protected watershed. Proponents argue it could create jobs and boost the economy, while opponents warn of risks to water quality and wilderness values; the measure advances to the Senate.

via AP News|

#boundary-waters #congress #environment

politics7 months ago•4 min saved

House advances bid to lift BWCAW mining ban, sends measure to Senate

The U.S. House voted to advance HJR 140 to overturn the 20-year mining ban around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness by withdrawing lands from Public Land Order 7917 under the Congressional Review Act; if the Senate approves and the president signs, the ban would be nullified, a move supporters say would unlock critical minerals from the Duluth Complex while critics warn of environmental and tribal impacts.

via kare11.com|

#boundary-waters #congressional-review-act #copper-mining