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Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act

USA119th CongressHR-588| House 
| Updated: 1/21/2025
Betty McCollum

Betty McCollum

Democratic Representative

Minnesota

Cosponsors (33)
Nikema Williams (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Kelly Morrison (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Ed Case (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Mike Levin (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act," seeks to permanently safeguard the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and interconnected federal lands and waters, including Voyageurs National Park, within Minnesota's Rainy River Watershed. It achieves this by withdrawing approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters from all forms of mineral exploration, development, and leasing. This critical action aims to prevent environmental degradation, particularly from sulfide-ore mining , which poses significant risks to the region's pristine water and air quality. The legislation's findings underscore the BWCAW's ecological importance, including nearly 2,000 lakes and its role within the Rainy River Watershed, which holds 20 percent of the National Forest System's fresh water. These waters are classified as Outstanding Resource Value Waters , and international treaties prohibit their pollution. The bill highlights documented risks of acid mine drainage and spills from sulfide-ore mining, which could severely harm aquatic life and the region's amenity-based tourism industry. The withdrawal specifically prohibits new mining claims and leases on the designated acreage, and any future acquired land within this area will also be protected. However, the Chief of the Forest Service may permit the removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite if it does not harm water quality, air quality, or forest health. This comprehensive measure ensures the long-term preservation of this nationally significant wilderness area's ecological integrity and wilderness values.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2794
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-668
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5598
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 21, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2794
    Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-668
    Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5598
    Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act


  • January 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 21, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Air qualityForests, forestry, treesLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsMiningMinnesotaWater qualityWatershedsWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitatsWildlife conservation and habitat protection

Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act

USA119th CongressHR-588| House 
| Updated: 1/21/2025
This bill, titled the "Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act," seeks to permanently safeguard the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and interconnected federal lands and waters, including Voyageurs National Park, within Minnesota's Rainy River Watershed. It achieves this by withdrawing approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters from all forms of mineral exploration, development, and leasing. This critical action aims to prevent environmental degradation, particularly from sulfide-ore mining , which poses significant risks to the region's pristine water and air quality. The legislation's findings underscore the BWCAW's ecological importance, including nearly 2,000 lakes and its role within the Rainy River Watershed, which holds 20 percent of the National Forest System's fresh water. These waters are classified as Outstanding Resource Value Waters , and international treaties prohibit their pollution. The bill highlights documented risks of acid mine drainage and spills from sulfide-ore mining, which could severely harm aquatic life and the region's amenity-based tourism industry. The withdrawal specifically prohibits new mining claims and leases on the designated acreage, and any future acquired land within this area will also be protected. However, the Chief of the Forest Service may permit the removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite if it does not harm water quality, air quality, or forest health. This comprehensive measure ensures the long-term preservation of this nationally significant wilderness area's ecological integrity and wilderness values.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2794
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-668
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5598
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 21, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2794
    Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-668
    Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5598
    Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act


  • January 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 21, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Betty McCollum

Betty McCollum

Democratic Representative

Minnesota

Cosponsors (33)
Nikema Williams (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Kelly Morrison (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Ed Case (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Mike Levin (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Air qualityForests, forestry, treesLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsMiningMinnesotaWater qualityWatershedsWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitatsWildlife conservation and habitat protection