For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com
Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks On Congress Opening Up One Of America’s Most Treasured Landscapes To Mining: “We Will Be Living With The Consequences Of This For Generations”
Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released the following statement on the Senate passage of a bill that would open the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to mining:
“Today’s vote to use the Congressional Review Act to open the Boundary Waters to mining is a reckless decision that puts one of America’s most treasured landscapes at risk. To put it bluntly, we will be living with the consequences of this ill-informed and ill-advised decision for generations.
“The Boundary Waters are the most visited Wilderness area in the United States, offering unmatched opportunities for solitude, adventure, and connection to nature. Its pristine waters, thriving wildlife, and unique interconnected ecosystem are irreplaceable. Copper mining in this sensitive watershed poses an unacceptable risk to clean water, treaty rights, surrounding communities and Voyageurs National Park.
“History has shown time and time again that no matter what companies say about protective measures, contamination is inevitable. And once pollution enters this water system, it cannot be contained nor undone.
“And let’s be clear, those who want to see mining on our public lands and in our national parks won’t just stop at the Boundary Waters. They will soon come for other protected lands and parks.
“This is a dark day for the overwhelming majority of Americans who believe our national parks and public lands should be protected.”
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The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization made up of over 5,000 members, all of whom are current, former, and retired employees or volunteers of the National Park Service (NPS). Together, they have accumulated over 50,000 years of experience caring for America’s most valuable natural and cultural resources. Our members include former NPS directors, deputy and regional directors, superintendents, park rangers (both law enforcement and interpretive), maintenance and administrative professionals, and many other dedicated career professionals.