ELY, MN (Northern News Now/KDAL) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed an executive order banning non ferrous metal mining in the Rainy River Headwaters watershed near the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness).
The order stops new permits and environmental reviews and also blocks new state mining leases. Walz says the move will protect the region’s water, wildlife and nearly one-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy.
Among those opposing the order are Republican Congressman Pete Stauber and DFL Senator Grant Hauschild, saying mining decisions should go through the environmental review process.
The governor’s order expires 90 days after Walz leaves office unless his successor extends it.
Speaking in Ely on Tuesday, Walz proclaimed August 18 as “Save the Boundary Waters Day” and emphasized that protecting the state’s environment and growing its economy are not mutually exclusive. “We have proven it is a false choice to do the environmentally sound stewardship thing and choose the economy. We know that they are inextricably combined,” Walz said, noting that Minnesota has moved more aggressively toward a green economy than any other state in the Midwest while outpacing them in economic growth.
This new development is a setback for Twin Metals, a company that has been moving through the regulatory process for years as it seeks to mine copper-nickel near the Boundary Waters.
Their plans were revived after a bill passed both the U.S. House and Senate earlier this year overturning a federal mining moratorium on thousands of acres near the Boundary Waters.
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