House · HJRES 140 · 119th Congress
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
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Summary
This bill cancels a 2023 federal rule that blocked mining and energy drilling on about 225,000 acres of national forest land in northern Minnesota. The land sits near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and tribal treaty land. Canceling the rule lets companies apply to lease this land for mining or geothermal energy again.
In Favor
The Bureau of Land Management locked up over 225,000 acres without standard multi-use review, bypassing the normal process Congress expects for major federal land decisions. The Congressional Review Act gives Congress clear authority to check that kind of unilateral executive action. Opening these lands could bring copper-nickel mining jobs to northern Minnesota communities that need economic opportunity.
Against
The original rule protected the Boundary Waters and nearby watershed from mining pollution for 20 years. Canceling it puts these waters and tribal treaty lands at risk from mineral exploration. Once mining damage happens to a wilderness waterway, it is very hard to undo.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This resolution cancels a 2023 federal land order that blocked mining and geothermal energy leasing on about 225,504 acres of forest land in northeastern Minnesota for 20 years.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The resolution addresses only the 2023 land order for Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties in Minnesota, and its provisions stay on that topic.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Mining and geothermal energy companies gain access to the land for leasing. Tribes with rights in the 1854 Ceded Territory and users of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness lose the protections the 2023 order provided.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The resolution itself does not authorize or spend federal money. It removes a restriction, which allows the Bureau of Land Management to process mineral and geothermal leasing applications on the affected acres.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The Bureau of Land Management would need to restart leasing processes for 225,504 acres it had closed off. Managing new applications across that land area involves added agency workload.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/5/2026