U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Calls to Protect the Boundary Waters in Speech on House Floor
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) spoke on the House floor in opposition of Congressional Republicans’ proposal to open the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to toxic sulfide-ore copper mining.
Congressional Republicans tucked a provision into their budget proposal that would allow toxic sulfide-ore copper mining in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters, which has never been done in Minnesota before and would permanently damage and pollute Minnesota’s pristine wilderness area.
Representative Morrison is an original co-sponsor of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act, which would permanently protect the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining.
Watch Rep. Morrison’s full floor speech HERE.
Read Rep. Morrison’s full floor speech remarks below:
Mr. Speaker,
Today I rise in opposition to a provision tucked away in the Republicans’ budget proposal that will open up the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to toxic sulfide-ore copper mining.
My husband and I take our kids camping and paddling in the Boundary Waters every year, and we’re not alone! The Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the country. There is literally no other place like it on Earth.
And it’s a major driver of the nearly $13.5 billion outdoor recreation economy in Minnesota.
But all that is at risk if sulfide-ore copper mining is allowed in the watershed of the Boundary Waters. It’s known as the most toxic industry in America – and has never been done in Minnesota before.
But the Republican majority is prioritizing the interests of an international Chilean mining conglomerate that has no interest or stake in the economy or well-being of Minnesotans.
They will extract our resources, pollute our air, land, and water and permanently damage our pristine Boundary Waters and leave Minnesotans to foot the bill for the clean up.
We should protect Minnesota’s crown jewel - not destroy it.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
###