Governor Tim Walz Issues Executive Order Halting Mineral Mining Reviews Around Boundary Waters

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 2026-08, directing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to cease all administrative processing of nonferrous metallic mineral mining permit applications within the 225,000-acre Rainy River watershed surrounding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

Safeguarding Clean Freshwater Wilderness and Indigenous Waters

The executive directive halts active state environmental review on copper-nickel sulfide mining proposals adjacent to Birch Lake and the Kawishiwi River. Governor Walz affirmed that the Boundary Waters is an irreplaceable ecological treasure providing clean drinking water, world-class wilderness recreation, and treaty-protected wild rice waters for Anishinaabe tribal nations.

Governor Walz emphasized that sulfide mining runoff poses irreversible acidification risks to pristine boreal lakes that sustain Northern Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy.

Mining Industry Stance and Conservation Coalition Praise

Mining trade associations and Iron Range business federations voiced strong opposition, stating that domestic copper and nickel are required for green energy electrification and provide high-paying industrial jobs.

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and national conservation federations commended the executive action for establishing permanent watershed safeguards.

Administrative Implementation

State regulatory agencies have formally suspended environmental review dockets with immediate effect.