Threat to Public Lands and Healthy Waters Grows after Vote in House to Strip Protections from Boundary Waters  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

1/23/2026 WASHINGTON D.C. – American Rivers is voicing its strong opposition today to a vote that could permanently strip protections from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness after the U.S. House of Representatives voted 214-208 to advance H.J. Res. 140.  

Introduced by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), H.J. Res 140 would use the Congressional Review Act to overturn protections for 225,000 acres of public lands in the Superior National Forest. It would reopen the area to the toxic mining activities of a foreign company, with a proposed mine located immediately upstream from the Boundary Waters, threatening all downstream flows with acid mine drainage.  

“The American public overwhelmingly supports public lands, access to clean water and abundant wildlife, and the Boundary Waters is a natural wonder, vital for all three,” said David Moryc, senior director of American Rivers’ river protection program.  “The U.S. Congress should be supporting efforts to permanently protect this national treasure from the threat of pollution, not undoing them.” 

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is 1.1 million acres of unspoiled natural landscape valued by hunters, fishermen, canoeists, and many others, making it the most popular wilderness area in the U.S. with 250,000 annual visitors. It provides critical habitat for wildlife and contains more than 1,200 miles of canoe and kayak routes and 230 miles of overnight hiking trails.  

 This use of the Congressional Review Act to overturn existing protections for the Boundary Waters subverts an extensive and open public process and undermines the will of the American people to serve foreign corporate interests. The legislation will now advance to the Senate for a vote. If the Senate also passes a resolution of disapproval, existing protections would be lost and likely prevent a future mineral withdrawal without another act of Congress. 

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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 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and 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