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Bill would allow roads, vehicles in BWCAW for border enforcement
The bill authorizes new border enforcement infrastructure in protected wilderness, prompting opposition from Minnesota senators who warn it threatens long-standing conservation efforts.
- Earlier this month, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah introduced a bill allowing DHS to use motorized vehicles and build roads, surveillance, fences, and structures in federally designated wilderness within 100 miles of the U.S. border, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
- Citing observations from a 2024 border trip, U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber said the bill will give the Department of Homeland Security power to protect the Boundary Waters from destruction.
- Protected-Area rules currently, under the Wilderness Act of 1964, largely ban motorized vehicles and infrastructure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which covers 1.1 million acres and includes Isle Royale National Park and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
- Minnesota's Democratic senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar both oppose the bill; Smith said it `overwrites important protections` and Klobuchar called it harmful and a waste of resources.
- Wilderness Watch's Kevin Proescholdt warned Lee's bill could damage the BWCAW "almost beyond recognition" and said it could enable logging and fuels management, citing southern border environmental impacts.
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Pine Journal+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
Bill would allow roads, vehicles in BWCAW for border enforcement
DULUTH — U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber said he supports a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that would allow federal immigration enforcement officials to use motorized vehicles and build roads, surveillance equipment, fences and structures in federally designated wilderness within 100 miles of the U.S. border, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Republican from Hermantown, whose district includes the BWCAW, did not answer a questi…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left0Leaning Right7Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Right
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources lean Right
58% Right
C 42%
R 58%
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