where mining in the boundary waters stand now, and how to stop it

This post happens to coincide with Earth Day, yet the action and outrage for what I will describe here is not limited to one day.

Even if you don't call Minnesota home, you are likely familiar with the fight that has been ongoing over whether to allow mining near the boundary waters because this area in Northeast Minnesota bordering Canada is the most visited wilderness area in the entire United States. 675,000 public comments were submitted to the Forest Service in 2022, 95% of which favored protecting the boundary waters area from sulfide-ore copper mining. Yet, just a few days ago on April 16th 2026, the Senate went against the desire of the people by passing House Joint Resolution 140 (previously passing the House as well on January 21st, 2026).

Mining is not new to Minnesota, the state has a long history of iron ore mining. In fact, we're the number one producer of iron ore in the entire country, my paternal great-parents even running a boarding house, general store, and post office for miners in the area. Yet, sulfide mining has never been done in Minnesota before. Sulfide mining is generally considered one of the most toxic industries since it creates a runoff of sulfuric acid (basically battery acid) that makes the land and water surrounding the mine unlivable, and this acid also seeps into watersheds downstream, further expanding the damages reach. A study from March 2025, analyzed eight mines in Idaho, Washington, Michigan, Montana, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Alaska to show that even with today's regulations they are "consistently polluting rivers, lakes, and groundwater." This is truly sad in any area of the country, and especially so in a place still so pristine such as the boundary waters where you can literally drink the water without filtering. "In addition to acidifying the lakes and rivers, the sulfuric acid leaches out heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and other toxins. This type of mining is so toxic that there HAS NEVER BEEN A SULFIDE MINE THAT HAS NOT CONTAMINATED SURROUNDING WATER SOURCES." As if this irreparable ecological damage wasn't bad enough, if this sulfide mining is allowed to happen, it would also severely impact the recreation in the area, which contributes more than $19M annually and creates over 300 jobs, destroy the future for all of the fisherman and hunters who enjoy this area, and violate treaties protecting the hunting, fishing, and gathering rights of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, along with two other bands, all of whom were denied being part of the conversation.

 

I've been near the boundary waters and found it other worldly and serene. In fact, all of the pictures included in this post are ones I took on that trip to Grand Marais, Minnesota in the Summer of 2024, one of the towns near the entry point of the boundary waters area, sitting on Lake Superior where the downstream flow of contaminated water will head. My mom backpacked into the boundary waters in  2006, which she frequently mentions as being a life changing experience. And, my grandpa actually worked in the area in 1933, at age 23, for the Civilian Conservation Corps reforesting this heavy logged area during the Great Depression, an effort by President Roosevelt to put unemployed men to work (later the BWCA Wilderness Act passed by Congress in 1978 ended logging and snowmobiling use in the area, and restricted mining).

But, even if you don't have a connection, or haven't visited the area, these mines may already be affecting natural land near you (as noted in the study of eight mines in other parts of the US). And, if this administration is successful in using The Congressional Review Act to overturn regulations years beyond the 60 days the act allows, it could have dire impacts for other efforts this administration, or others with their same ideologies, will try in the future. While this is a huge setback, there are things we can still do. Litigation will be pursued, questioning the legality of what Congress did in. Minnesota leadership could deny state permits and/or pass state law to override this federal overreach. The impacted Native American tribes could push back. And, as a last line of defense, Minnesota residents would likely step in, akin to how we stood up for our state in January of February of this year. 

 

To assist with the cost of legal efforts in the first, and most ideal, next line of defense against this mining, please consider donating to any of the organizations below. I have no affiliation with them, nor do I get anything if you do donate. I just wanted to personally share should you want to make your voice heard. Contacting representatives in Minnesota, even if you're out of state, will also be super important as the second line of defense will require state laws and permits to deny the mining company its move forward. And, of course, continuing to vote in leadership who is can actually show they have integrity and aren't just in a bunch of people's pockets.

Save the Boundary Waters

Environmental Defense Fund - donate by tonight, April 22nd 2026, to triple the impact of your donation as it will be matched by two longtime EDF donors!

Friends of the Boundary Waters

Sierra Club

Backcountry Hunters & Angler's Campfire Society

American Rivers

Mining in the boundary waters is just one of many environmental projects that this administration is set on creating detrimental damage with, oftentimes having ties to a monetary benefit/influence. The 2025 budget cancelled 350 environmental protection agency grants (as well as cancelled or paused any program with the keywords "equity" or "climate" from the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Agriculture, and the Interior, no matter whether closer inspection would show these programs had nothing to do with equity or climate in the way the administrations broad search intended), closed the offices of environmental justice, pulled data used by the public and many organizations for environmental mapping, paying a French company $1B in our taxpayer money to NOT build wind farms (so our money is literally being thrown away to stop a project this administration doesn't like), given the rubber stamp to pollute our air, and so much more. 

Just like mining in the boundary waters, these decisions are not a done deal. If you'd like to support initiatives that are fighting against these larger environmental rollbacks, please consider looking into the below organizations...

Environmental Integrity Project

Environmental Protection Network

Evergreen Action

Greenpeace

Earth Justice

Natural Resources Defense Council

The ACLU is doing fantastic work fighting against other injustices as well.

 

If you're on the fence wondering whether your donation, protest, boycott, social media post, etc. will even make a difference, I find the 3.5% rule an interesting concept to think more about - every action, even those that are small, combine together into a larger movement and also get people thinking about taking additional steps that are more impactful than their initial step of marching in protest. In the years to come, I anticipate the actions taken by Minnesotans in the early months of 2026 will also be studied as an effective method of resistance as well.

nutty maple cinnamon granola

Even when other granola recipes cross my path, they rarely entice me to stray from my go-to granola. This is because it has the ideal balance of crunch (provided by the larger chopped walnuts compared to the softer and smaller crunch from chia seeds and hemp hearts), sweetness (just a hint of maple syrup), and a dash of spice (cinnamon). Mixing it up in five minutes before my shower, by the time I am out it is right on time to give the granola its first mix, and by the time my coffee is done, the granola is finished baking and ready to top my yogurt. 

Nutty Maple Cinnamon Granola

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Equipment: large mixing bowl, large spatula/spoon, measuring cups and spoons, baking sheet (either half sheet or full sheet will work just fine)

Ingredients:

Dry - 

4 cups preferred oats (Old fashioned, also called rolled oats, provide a slightly crunchier texture and will possibly clump better. However, I use quick oats because I like the softer texture in the final granola and no clumps).

1 cup chopped walnuts (subbing pecans is also wonderful)

1 cup pumpkin seeds (with or without salt, either works)

1/2 cup hemp hearts

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup of something else (I switch this up depending on what I have on hand - sunflower seeds, wheat germ, 

1 tsp ground cinnamon (Don't throw out the cinnamon you have in your cupboard, however, when you replenish your cinnamon you want to be using ceylon cinnamon as it has the lowest coumarin content versus cassia and saigon. This article provides a quick summary of how you can quickly exceed the daily limit of cassia/saigon Cinnamon, potentially causing damage to your liver.)

Wet -

1/3 cup oil (If I feel like taking the time, I melt coconut oil. But, typically I just use grapeseed oil that is already in a "state" I can dump into the granola mix. If you do use coconut oil, mix your ingredients and get it in the oven quickly so it doesn't start hardening again.)

1/2 cup maple syrup (You can sub honey, however, anytime you heat honey over approximately 95 degrees, it significantly degrades beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial compounds, reducing its nutritional and potential health benefits. So, I tend to use honey for room temp, or at least not boiling uses, and stick to maple syrup for everything else.)

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1) Add all of the dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. 

2) Add wet ingredients to the bowl, no need to mix these in a separate bowl first.

3) Dump onto your baking sheet and loosely smooth the granola to cover the entire pan.

4) Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, turning with the same spatula or spoon you used for mixing, about halfway through. You want the granola medium brown and just slightly crispy. 

Notes:

Same some trees and don't use parchment paper. I have never had this stick to the pan even a little. 

If you want to add fruit, add it to the pan right when you take the granola out of the oven so it gently toasts it without burning. Or, just add it right before you eat the granola in cereal or on top of yogurt. This way it is not adding moisture into the granola during storage.

 

Don't forget to pin this post if you remember so you remember to try this granola recipe. It will surely be your "go-to" granola recipe as well!

almost Spring

A lesson in being in the moment. Was taken aback by the sunset last night shining its golden light onto the trees and spots of open water on the lake. I planned to walk down and take a closer look. Yet, within minutes the light was gone.