Short film documents Save the Boundary Waters campaign manager’s 110 mile nonstop run through the Wilderness to raise awareness about the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining to the Boundary Waters
(ELY, MN)–Tomorrow evening, Thursday December 2, at 6:30PM “Boundary Waters Traverse ” will premiere. This short film documents Alex Falconer’s 110-mile nonstop run through the Wilderness to raise awareness about the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining to the Boundary Waters. In May 2021, Falconer became the first known person to accomplish the feat, running for nearly 40 hours in a row through the heart of the Boundary Waters. The premiere will be virtual and followed by a panel discussion featuring Falconer, professional trail runner and Patagonia sponsored athlete Clare Gallagher, and professional trail runner and pro bono legal counsel for Save the Boundary Waters Kyle Pietari. The panel will be moderated by Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director for Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (lead organization in the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters). The Boundary Waters is currently threatened by a risky mining proposal from Chilean mining giant Antofagasta’s Twin Metals.
There are currently two comment periods underway that are critical to permanently protecting the Boundary Waters. One on a federal mineral withdrawal process that could ban sulfide-ore mining next to the Wilderness for up to 20 years and another on a state review of whether Minnesota’s mine siting rules are adequate to protect the Boundary Waters. Comments on the federal mineral withdrawal will be taken through January 19 and can be submitted here. Comments on the state DNR mine siting review will be taken through December 8 and can be submitted here.
The Boundary Waters is the most heavily-visited Wilderness Area in the United States, attracting more than 160,000 visitors annually from all over the world. It helps drive more than $900 million in annual economic activity and helps support over 17,000 jobs. A peer-reviewed independent study by Harvard University economists showed that protecting the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining would result in dramatically more jobs and more income in the region over a 20-year period than if a Twin Metals mine were operating.
Nearly seventy percent of Minnesotans support a ban on sulfide-ore copper mining near the Boundary Waters. During the public comment periods for the first mineral withdrawal process over 180,000 Americans voiced support for the proposed mining ban to protect the Boundary Waters.
WHAT: Virtual premiere of “Boundary Waters Traverse” and panel discussion
WHO:
Alex Falconer, Save the Boundary Waters Campaign Manager
Clare Gallagher, professional Trail Runner and Patagonia Sponsored Athlete
Kyle Pietari, professional trail runner and pro bono legal counsel for Save the Boundary Waters
Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director for Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (lead organization in the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters)
WHERE: Interested media can register for the event here.
WHEN: Thursday, December 2nd at 6:30PM
