Red Lake Nation strongly opposes action approving mining in Boundary Waters watershed

RED LAKE, Minn. (KVRR) — Red Lake Nation has issued a statement opposing recent federal action to overturn long-standing protections for the Boundary Waters watershed.

Last week, the U.S. Senate voted 50-49 to pass a bill to allow mining in the watershed.

Red Lake Nation says sulfide-ore copper mining poses a well-documented risk of permanent water contamination.

They say any degradation of the headwaters will flow downstream threatening ecosystems, fisheries, wild rice and communities including Red Lake.

They are calling on federal officials to respect treaty obligations, engage in consultation with tribal nations and reconsider actions that place short-term extraction over long-term stewardship.