Rep. McCollum Introduces the National Park and Wilderness Waters Protection Act
Rep. McCollum Introduces the National Park and Wilderness Waters Protection Act
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced the National Park and Wilderness Waters Protection Act, a bill that would afford greater protections from mining related pollution to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park. H.R. 1796 would prohibit all future mining on federally managed lands in the Rainy River Watershed area, and hold existing mining leases on those lands to new, more stringent environmental standards.
“Ensuring that the water flowing into Voyageurs and the BWCA is as clean and clear as the water inside these protected areas will not happen without direct action from Congress and the Obama Administration,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “Advocating for the protection of these two American national treasures has been a priority for Minnesotans for decades, and I am proud to advocate for that priority here in Congress. Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are special places that belong to all Americans and Minnesotans. These are two of our nation’s most precious environmental areas and we must ensure that the next generation of Americans can also enjoy their beauty.”
A copy of the legislation is attached.
Congresswoman McCollum is the ranking Democratic member on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and the Democratic co-chair of the Native American Caucus.