What’s up: American Rivers has named the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness among American’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2013 shining a national spotlight on a proposed copper-nickel mine that would release toxic waste into the South Kawishiwi River, threatening fish and wildlife, drinking water quality, and a world class recreation area.
View the complete press release here: American Rivers
View the Boundary Waters Fact Sheet from American Rivers here: BWCA
Boundary Waters, MN | © River Point Resort & Outfitting Company
Urge President Obama, Congress, and Minnesota’s Governor Dayton to protect the Boundary Waters and oppose the massive Twin Metals Minnesota Mine.
June 1, 2013 Canoeing the Kawishiwi River and Openhouse at Sustainable Ely
View Video Saturday, June 1, 2013 was a rainy day but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of over 60 people who paddled the South Kawishiwi River near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from the Voyageurs Outward Bound School to the Kawishiwi River campground. The pristine South Kawishiwi River is at the heart of a vibrant resort, camping, boating, and canoeing area. Paddlers were protesting a proposed huge sulfide-ore mine which will almost certainly pollute the river and the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with toxic acid mine drainage and heavy metals. Because of the threat of sulfide mining pollution, American Rivers listed the South Kawishiwi River and the Boundary Waters as a 2013 Endangered River.
After the paddle event, well over a hundred local people celebrated the Grand Opening of Sustainable Ely, the headquarters of the campaign to protect clean water, healthy communities, and the Boundary Waters. Speakers included Jaime Pinkham, of the American Rivers board, and retired WCCO/CBS broadcaster Don Shelby. At Sustainable Ely, visitors are invited to sign the American Rivers petition that asks elected officials to protect the Boundary Waters and Kawishiwi River watershed. In addition, visitors may sign a Wenona canoe, a one-of-a-kind made for Sustainable Ely, to be presented to President Obama. A large American Rivers banner is displayed across the front of Sustainable Ely.
June 18 – Dr. Tom Powers presented: Mining and Local Economic Well Being: Weighing Benefits and Costs
View Presentation
July 22 – Nancy Schuldt, Water Projects Coordinator, Fond du Lac Environmental Program, to speak at VCC Auditorium on the impact of copper-nickel mining on the waters of the Fond du Lac Reservation
View Presentation
August 6
Paula Maccabee, General Counsel and Advocacy Directory for Water Legacy spoke to the Tuesday Group about the PolyMet project. Video supplied by www.elyminnesota.com and the Threatened Waters Blog.
October 15
Jerritt Johnston, of Sustainable Ely, spoke about the current demographics and economics of the Ely area and how proposed new sulfide ore mining threatens both. Video supplied by Video by Ely Minnesota.com and the Threatened Waters Blog
November 7
Bill Carter, author of Boom, Bust, Boom presented at Vermilion Community College to a packed auditorium. He spoke about the real impacts of sulfide ore mining in the Boundary Waters watershed. Video supplied by Video by Ely Minnesota.com and the Threatened Waters Blog
November 26
State Auditor Rebecca Otto addressed the Tuesday Group in Ely. She spoke about her role as a constitutional officer and her recent “no” vote concerning mining leases in northeastern MInnesota. Video supplied by Video by Ely Minnesota.com and the Threatened Waters Blog
The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders.
- Edward Abbey