Our Wild Lands are Dwindling
Superior National Forest has the most visited wilderness area in the eastern US: the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The Boundary Waters have made the national forests a very popular recreation destination. Traffic, business, and development have increased pressure on the delicate natural forests.
The forest plans are an opportunity to prevent degradation of the wilderness area and provide more opportunities for the growing number of people visiting it. The Forest Service considered designating all of the remaining unprotected roadless areas as wilderness. They found that thirty places qualified on the Superior National Forest, but decided none of them were needed.
More than 60% of Americans believe that there is not enough wilderness permanently protected for future generations. Minnesota ranks second in the nation as a state of "wildlife watchers." The proposed plan should allow for the establishment of wildlife viewing trails.
Wilderness recreation is an important part of our community's economy. and Superior National Forest is under increased pressure from ATV use and rural development, so these areas will be more threatened. Protect these places now and recommend them as wilderness study areas for Congress to consider for permanent protection, before an accident happens and they no longer qualify.
Friends of Boundary Waters has produced a report that describes each of these special, needed, places.