Bill > HF1717

This bill modifies mining restrictions within the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota. The key provisions are: 1) It defines the BWCAW as the area designated in federal law, and also defines the "Rainy River headwaters" area. 2) It prohibits the leasing of state-owned or administered lands for mineral exploration or mining within the BWCAW and Rainy River headwaters, except in cases of national emergency declared by Congress. 3) It allows for mining of taconite, iron ore, sand, gravel, and granite in the Rainy River headwaters if the commissioner of natural resources determines it will not be detrimental to the BWCAW. 4) It prohibits the leasing of state lands for peat harvesting within the BWCAW, except in cases of national emergency. 5) It requires the commissioner of natural resources to investigate and determine if there are reasonable alternative methods for providing needed resources before allowing any exploitation of the BWCAW or Rainy River headwaters. 6) It designates acquired state lands within the BWCAW as state wilderness areas.