S.1366 - Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act aims to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and interconnected federal lands and waters within the Rainy River Watershed in Minnesota. It withdraws approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters from mining and other forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal. The bill allows for the removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite under specific conditions determined by the Chief of the Forest Service.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely result in increased environmental protection for the designated area by restricting mining and resource extraction. This could impact local economies dependent on these activities, but may also boost tourism and recreation related to the wilderness area. The long-term ecological health of the Rainy River Watershed could be improved.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced protection of a unique wilderness area and its ecological integrity.
- Potential for increased tourism and recreation revenue due to a preserved natural environment.
- Safeguarding of water quality and air quality within the Rainy River Watershed.
- Preservation of habitat for various plant and animal species.
- Long-term sustainability of the natural resources in the region.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential negative impact on mining and resource extraction industries in the region.
- Possible job losses in sectors related to mining and mineral processing.
- Restriction of access to resources that could have economic value.
- Potential conflicts with existing rights and land uses.
- Increased regulatory burden on activities within the withdrawn area.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the federal government's power to manage and protect federal lands, as implied by Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the US Constitution (the Property Clause). This clause grants Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or freedoms.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).