La Crosse, WI –Today Rep. Ron Kind released the following statement regarding the Department of the Interior’s announcement that it’s cancelling two hardrock mineral leases threatening the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) after determining that the leases were improperly renewed in 2019:  

“The Boundary Waters is a truly unique national treasure as the only lake-land wilderness in our National Wilderness Preservation System. Anyone who has had the opportunity to spend time there knows it’s a special place, from its pristine waters to its unmatched peace and quiet. Like so many Americans who’ve cherished visiting the Boundary Waters, I’m thrilled to see this step and I applaud President Biden for taking action to follow the rule of law and preserve this irreplaceable natural resource for generations to come.”  

On Wednesday, January 26, 2022 the Department of the Interior announced that it was cancelling two leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota after a new legal opinion from the Interior’s Office of Solicitor found significant legal deficiencies in the circumstances surrounding their 2o19 renewal.  

Rep. Kind is an original cosponsor of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act which would permanently protect 234,000 acres of federal lands and waters from sulfide-ore copper mining.  

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