Walleye, northern pike, lake trout, small mouth bass and other fish can be found in abundance in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. Many an angler has dipped a paddle and wet a line in this epitome of the north woods. A summer camping, canoeing, portaging and fishing trip here is practically a rite of passage in the Midwest. Along with the Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters contains 20 percent of all the fresh water in the entire National Forest System. That prized water that supports world-class remote angling is now at risk.
Proposed sulfide-ore copper mining near the wilderness’ edge threatens the abundance of fishing opportunities in the Boundary Waters that attracts anglers from all over the world. This toxic mining practice would harm productive habitats that support fish and game for generations to come.
It’s another case of a foreign-owned mining company seeking to develop an ore body with the potential to cause great harm to one of America’s most iconic remote fishing destinations. The threat is acid mine drainage being released into the interconnected streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater flowing to and through the Boundary Waters.
Every angler is needed to help protect this fishing paradise for future generations to experience. You can help save this national treasure and your next adventure by signing the petition at www.SportsmenfortheBoundaryWaters.org and by telling other anglers or hunters what’s at risk.
Social channels to follow are: www.facebook.com/sportsmenforthebwca, www.twitter.com/sportsmenbwca, and www.instagram.com/sportsmenbwca.
