Considered a “pike and walleye fisherman’s paradise,” the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is also a world-class destination for lake trout and smallmouth bass.
However, this unique and unspoiled area is still at risk. The U.S. Forest Service is considering mining permits that could threaten the region’s pristine fisheries.
Right now, anglers have the opportunity to join the conversation by submitting a comment before February 28. Tell the Forest Service how important clean water and healthy fisheries are to recreational anglers like you.
Even if you’ve taken action on this issue before, now is the time to speak up. Mining could begin as early as 2019 so there’s no time to waste.
Simply click on the link below and complete the online comment form. Please use your own words to describe why places like the Boundary Waters are important to fishing or feel free to copy the sample letter below.
Sample letter
As a recreational angler, I ask that the U.S. Forest Service seriously consider the cultural and economic significance that the Boundary Waters region of Minnesota has for recreational anglers when considering whether or not to allow mining in this area.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is America’s most visited Wilderness area and its interconnected lakes, streams and wetlands support the walleye, trout, bass and pike that draw thousands of fishermen to the area each year.
I am very concerned about the potential negative impacts that sulfide-ore copper mining would have on the region’s populations of fish and the local businesses that depend on healthy and accessible fisheries in the BWCAW. I also ask that the U.S. Forest Service use the best available science to make sure that any potential mining operations would not harm this important fishery.
