Bill > HF2404

This bill modifies the mining restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota. The key provisions are: 1. It defines the terms "Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness" and "Rainy River headwaters" to clarify the geographic areas covered by the legislation. 2. It prohibits the leasing of state-owned or administered land for mineral exploration or mining operations in the BWCAW and the Rainy River headwaters, except in cases of a 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 harvesting of peat on state-owned or administered land in the BWCAW, except in cases of a national emergency declared by Congress. 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 natural resources in the BWCAW or Rainy River headwaters.