nmw
Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness
Issues
nmw is interested in issues facing our wilderness such as:
Metallic Sulfide Mining
Far and
away, Metallic Sulfide Mining represents the greatest current threat
to the BWCAW and its environs. The extraction of heavy metals – gold,
copper, palladium, nickel and others – from sulfide bearing ore has
the potential to contaminate waters flowing into the Wilderness.
This would be lethal to fish, plant life and other species.
Such mining practices elsewhere have inevitably led to huge
environmental failures and to taxpayer clean-up costs in the
millions of dollars. Core sample drilling has already begun within a
mile of the BWCAW boundary.
NMW continues to monitor and analyze the permitting process,
advocate for more rigorous laws and regulations in the Minnesota
Legislature and Congress and inform the public of near-certain
dangers.
Roadless Areas
Historically, the BWCAW has always been a roadless area.
The Superior National Forest lands (90,000 acres) that abut
the Wilderness also deserve more stringent protection from
increasingly invasive motorized use which can lead to noise, air and
water pollution and non-native invasive species.
Animal habitat and backcountry recreation outside the BWCAW
are important features of the Superior National Forest buffer zone.
Local and Federal planning for ATV and snowmobile use in
these areas proceeds apace, and NMW has commented often on this
issue.
Air
Pollution
Sulfur and
nitrogen oxides can significantly impact BWCAW air quality.
Reduced visibility and the intrusive presence of
industrialization from the south threaten the very essence of the
wilderness experience, i.e. clean air and water. NMW has been
participating in the informational updates of the MPCA’s Minnesota
Regional Haze Plan. This plan represents the Agency’s proposal to
reduce air pollution in the Boundary Waters Canoe Areaildernessand
Voyageur’s National Park, which are designated “Class 1” air quality
areas.
For more
information on MN air pollution go to:
www.pca.state.mn.us/air/regionalhaze.html
Logging
Logging has
deep historical roots in Northeastern Minnesota. While many new
harvesting techniques are available to enhance efficiencies, provide
necessary building materials, and enhance job growth, there are
also, sadly, some logging procedures which destroy ecologically
sensitive forest segments, contribute to noise pollution, spoil
waterways, lead to road construction in areas previously roadless
and enhance the invasion of non-native species. These practices need
to be ameliorated.
Northeastern
Minnesotans for Wilderness, is
pleased to announce NMW was awarded a grant from Freshwater Future
www.freshwaterfuture.org
This grant will provide technical support for the project,
Protecting Minnesota's Waters from Metallic Sulfide Mining.
"wilderness.... an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."
Wilderness Act of 1964