U.S. House Votes to Repeal Boundary Waters Mining Protections

Controversial decision could open up 225,000 acres in Minnesota's Superior National Forest to mining activities

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene landscape painting of a lone canoe floating on a calm lake surrounded by dense pine forests, the scene bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conceptually representing the fragile beauty of the Boundary Waters wilderness.The tranquil waters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness face an uncertain future as a controversial House vote threatens to open up this pristine wilderness to mining activities.Duluth Today

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to repeal crucial mining protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and its surrounding watersheds in Minnesota. The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Pete Stauber, aims to reverse a 20-year ban on copper mining in the BWCAW, which was put in place by the Biden administration in 2023. Supporters argue this is necessary to access critical minerals and compete globally, while opponents warn it would sacrifice public lands and harm the environment and Indigenous cultural values.

Why it matters

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a highly protected and ecologically sensitive region that is beloved by outdoor enthusiasts and Indigenous communities. Lifting the mining ban could have significant environmental and cultural impacts, while proponents argue it is necessary for the U.S. to secure access to critical minerals. This vote sets up a high-stakes battle in the U.S. Senate over the future of this pristine wilderness area.

The details

The House voted to pass House Joint Resolution 140, which would repeal the Bureau of Land Management's Order 7917 that had banned copper mining in the BWCAW and surrounding watersheds. Supporters, led by Rep. Pete Stauber, argue this is needed to access the Duluth Complex, the world's largest untapped copper-nickel deposit, in order for the U.S. to compete globally. However, environmental and Indigenous groups strongly oppose the move, warning it would devastate the fragile ecosystem and traditional ways of life.

  • In January 2023, the Biden administration put in place the 20-year mining ban on the BWCAW.
  • On April 11, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the mining protections.

The players

Pete Stauber

Republican U.S. Representative who introduced the bill to repeal the mining ban in the BWCAW.

Ingrid Lyons

Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters, an organization opposing the repeal of mining protections.

Becky Rom

National Chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, a group fighting to preserve the BWCAW.

Bureau of Land Management

The federal agency that had previously put in place the 20-year mining ban on the BWCAW through Order 7917.

U.S. Senate

The legislative body that will now consider the House's vote to repeal the mining protections for the BWCAW.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“By keeping the Duluth Complex, the world's largest untapped copper-nickel deposit, off-limits, we're essentially handing over control of critical minerals to foreign adversaries like China.”

— Pete Stauber, U.S. Representative

“Today's vote is a sell-out of American public lands to foreign interests. We cannot sacrifice our most visited Wilderness for the benefit of a Chilean company that sends its concentrates to China.”

— Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director, Save the Boundary Waters

“The fight of our lifetime.”

— Becky Rom, National Chair, Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters

What’s next

The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where it will face further debate and consideration. The Senate will decide whether to uphold the House's vote to repeal the mining protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The takeaway

This vote in the House sets up a high-stakes battle over the future of the Boundary Waters, pitting economic interests in accessing critical minerals against the preservation of a beloved wilderness area and the protection of Indigenous cultural values. The outcome in the Senate will have significant environmental and geopolitical implications.