Sponsors (40)
The bill prioritizes long-term protection of water, forests, recreation, and tribal treaty rights on 225,504 acres—supporting public health and an amenity-based local economy—at the cost of limiting potential mining development, related jobs and revenues, and introducing some legal and permitting uncertainty for future resource uses.
Residents, visitors, and regional businesses: the bill withdraws and protects 225,504 acres (including waters affecting the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park) from sulfide-ore mining, preserving clean water, fisheries, forests, and recreation opportunities.
Tribal communities (Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, Bois Forte): strengthened protection of treaty hunting, fishing, and usufructuary rights by reducing contamination risks from nearby mining.
Residents and local economies dependent on outdoor recreation: protecting these lands sustains amenity-based tourism and associated jobs/income (estimated roughly 1,500–4,600 jobs and $100M–$900M over 20 years if resources are preserved).
Local workers and taxpayers: withdrawing 225,504 acres from mineral development limits potential mining-related jobs, private investment, and tax revenue in the region.
Local governments and land users: long-term withdrawal (20+ years) constrains future resource development choices and reduces local economic flexibility for decades.
Small business owners and some landowners: the withdrawal and related restrictions could block certain commercial uses or land disposals they might have pursued, imposing opportunity costs.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Withdraws ~225,504 acres in the Rainy River Watershed from new mining, most mineral leasing, and public-land disposal while allowing limited non-detrimental aggregate removal.
Withdraws about 225,504 acres of federal land and water in the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest in Minnesota from new mining and most mineral leasing and disposal to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and downstream waters. The Forest Service may permit limited removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite only if those activities will not harm water quality, air quality, or forest habitat, and the map of the withdrawal must be made publicly available.
Official title: To provide for the protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and interconnected Federal lands and waters, including Voyageurs National Park, within the Rainy River Watershed in the State of Minnesota, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 21, 2025 by Betty McCollum · Last progress January 21, 2025