The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.523, to modify mining restrictions within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) and the Rainy River headwaters. It introduces new definitions, including the term "Rainy River headwaters," and clarifies that no state-owned or administered land may be leased for mineral exploration or mining without prior legislative approval, particularly in cases of national emergency declared by Congress. The bill specifies that mining for taconite, iron ore, sand, gravel, and granite may be permitted in the Rainy River headwaters if deemed non-detrimental to the BWCA.

Additionally, the bill maintains prohibitions on peat harvesting in the BWCA without legislative approval during national emergencies. It emphasizes the need for investigations to determine if reasonable alternatives exist before issuing permits for resource exploitation in the BWCA and Rainy River headwaters. If the commissioner of natural resources finds a necessity for resource extraction, permits can only be issued with state legislative approval. Overall, the bill aims to protect the wilderness character of these areas while allowing for limited resource extraction under strict conditions.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 84.523