American Rivers Thanks Governor Walz for Executive Order Protecting Boundary Waters
Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org
St. Paul, MINN – American Rivers is today, thanking Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) for his bold executive order to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its headwaters from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining.
“Since the federal government has not protected the treasure that is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is vital to our nation’s water wealth, it is critical that Governor Walz has stepped up,” said Elizabeth Riggs, Great Lakes regional director for American Rivers. “Governor Walz deserves a big round of applause for supporting the communities and economies of the region that depend on this vital water source and recognizing that some places are simply too important to put at risk.”
American Rivers named the South Kawishiwi River—a vital artery of the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness— to America’s Most Endangered Rivers® list of 2026, due to proposed sulfide-ore copper mining in its headwaters. Earlier this year, Congress used the Congressional Review Act to withdraw protections from the watershed.
The Boundary Waters is the most visited Wilderness Area in the country and supports a thriving outdoor recreation economy, drawing more than 155,000 overnight visitors annually and sustaining roughly 17,000 jobs. Economic analyses show that mining in the region could pollute the area’s pristine waters, resulting in thousands of lost jobs, billions in lost income, and significant declines in property values.
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About American Rivers
American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 3.5 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers®. AmericanRivers.org