Since Trump’s inauguration, many executive orders have been implemented. One of the major orders that hits close to home and impacts our community is the plan to reintroduce oil mining in close proximity to the Boundary Waters. This act will be detrimental to the environment and to the wellbeing of the people who enjoy it.

During Biden’s presidency, he implemented a 20 year moratorium, prohibiting mining and drilling in the area to protect wildlife and the environment that many Americans enjoy camping and spending time at.

Supporters of the revocation of Biden’s moratorium and the introduction of Trump’s plans argue that the hundreds of jobs that will result from the large mining operation will benefit Americans much more than the quality of life features one can enjoy at the boundary waters. The boundary waters rest above one of the largest copper-nickel deposits in the country, most of it raw and untapped.

Besides economic benefits, such as an increase of 1400 jobs related to mining, Trump’s plans worry frequenters who believe it might destroy the pristine environment that the Boundary Waters are known for. The mining and drilling will contribute to vast pollution of lakes and marshes, turning originally clear and clean water murky and polluted. This plan that disregards the environment is a disgrace to people, like myself, who spend time in the boundary waters.

When camping in the boundary waters, the lakes were so clean that just by canoeing to the middle, it would be safe enough to drink straight from the lake. The variation in water pureness can clearly be observed as water near islands and land require around one to two iodine pills depending on the size of the bottle. With the new drilling plans, this might no longer be possible.

Trump’s only argument in support of the drilling plans, which are the economic benefits that Americans will be able to enjoy, is that the company that Trump plans to give permission to drill is a Chilean run foreign drilling company.

The benefits of the drilling do not outweigh the negatives that cause decreases in quality of life, and harm the pure ecosystem of the boundary waters. To maintain the important lands that have been untouched for hundreds of years. Even if it is only sending an email, the people’s voice matters