The Grassroots Surge to Save Minnesota Waters

We are not backing down.

Minnesota’s Boundary Waters at sunset.

Yesterday evening, the House passed a bill that, if signed into law, will open up 225,000 acres of federal land for toxic mining by a foreign company. It now moves on to the Senate.

The bill, known as H.J. Res. 140, is one we all need to quickly get familiar with.

Here’s what the proposal does:

1. Uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to revoke a 2023 20-year ban on mining in federal lands surrounding the Boundary Waters.

2. Blocks future administrations from using their authority to place bans on mining in the area.

It asks us to forget about the 50+ years of activism that led up to those protections. It completely disregards the 675,000 plus public comments against allowing mining there. It ignores over 20 years of democratic precedent that has never used the CRA to undo protections for public land.

Some GOP politicians want to make a quick buck off of a Chilean mining contract that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on beloved, federally protected lands— including the Superior National Forest, Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and Voyageurs National Park.

Dangerous Precedent

This bill makes ALL of our public lands vulnerable to the same kind of misuse.

It also opens up all our public participation to the same kind of disregard.

This issue is not just about Minnesota’s environmental integrity; this rule could be used anywhere, against any of the places we love.

A Fight We Can Win

From what I have seen this year, this is a smart place to invest your advocacy. The push against harming public land is successfully stalling overzealous Republicans. This is one avenue where we are repeatedly showing them that they may be more vulnerable than they think, and that there are limits to their power.

Throughout this year, we have blocked underhanded attempts to sell off and open up public lands to private development. Constituents from all over the political spectrum have joined up to resoundingly oppose moves that would weaken our federal land and water resources.

Get Loud!

We have to be really noisy and doggedly persistent. Call your Senators EVERY DAY to check in, voice your opposition, and let them know you are watching.

Call this number and ask to be connected to your Senators now: 202-224-3121.

Tell them to VOTE NO on H.J. Res 140.

Every one of these votes is part of our journey toward healing our country. Every outlandish power grab that we oppose with continued advocacy makes us stronger.

Keep fighting, and take joy in your beautiful protest. It will last far longer than the Right’s blind rage.

With love and hope for the future,

Stephanie

Need a sample script? Here is a clear way to get your message through:

Staffer: “Senator [Name]’s office, how can I help you?”

You: “Hi, my name is [Name] and I am a constituent from [City/Zip Code].

I am calling to urge the Senator to VOTE NO on H.J. Res. 140.

This resolution would overturn the 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters. We cannot allow foreign mining companies to destroy the Superior National Forest or threaten our public waters. Please protect our public lands and vote NO on H.J. Res 140.”

Staffer: “I will pass that message along.”

You: “Thank you.”

Let us all know how your calls and/or emails are going. Did anything surprise you with your interaction?