American Rivers Statement on Senate Passage of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Congressional Review Act 

Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — American Rivers issued the following statement in response to the Senate passage of H. J. Res. 140, which, if made law, will strip protections from the headwaters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and reopen 225,000 acres in the Superior National Forest to toxic mining activities, threatening all downstream flows into the Boundary Waters with acid-mine drainage. 

“This is a betrayal of the public trust and will jeopardize the health of one of our country’s most beloved public lands,” said Leda Huta, vice president of government relations for American Rivers. “We share in the deep disappointment of millions of Americans who expect our elected leaders to protect our clean water, our abundant wildlife, and access for all to unmatched outdoor recreation spaces. This is a heartbreaking moment.” 

The Boundary Waters is a cornerstone of outdoor recreation, with 250,000 annual visitors, and supports a major tourism economy. Stretching over 1.1 million acres, it draws hunters, anglers, paddlers, and more to a landscape filled with clean water and 1,200 miles of canoe and kayak routes and 230 miles of overnight hiking trails. 

###