Rep. Betty McCollum and Outdoor Advocates Condemn President Trump's Actions Limiting Access to BWCA Permits

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - On Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Forest Service notified Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) permit holders that they will no longer be able to collect permits at two of their busiest ranger stations-the Kawishiwi Ranger Station in Ely and the Gunflint Station in Grand Marais. Congresswoman Betty McCollum issued the following statement in response:

"The BWCA and America's public lands are national treasures that belong to all of us. These special places are also essential to the economy of Minnesota," said Congresswoman McCollum, the author of legislation to permanently protect the Boundary Waters. "Visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come to experience the BWCA every year drive a vibrant and thriving economy in our state. Elon Musk and President Trump's decisions to freeze hiring, illegally cut funding, and fire thousands of public servants in our U.S. Forest Service has directly resulted in this reduced access to visitor use permits for the Boundary Waters. It will add additional burdens on visitors as well as the local businesses who serve them."

"I stand with outdoor advocates and local businesses in opposing the Trump administration's dismantling of the U.S. Forest Service and the resulting hurdles for those who want to enjoy and care for our public lands. I will fight this and other efforts by Elon Musk and Donald Trump to cut services that Americans rely on," added Congresswoman McCollum.

"Recent cuts to the U.S. Forest Service have serious consequences for northeastern Minnesota's economy and the health of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness," said Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness. "Reduced staffing not only undermines the Forest Service's ability to manage and protect the Wilderness, but it also places an unfair burden on local small businesses that rely on the area's responsible use. Strong stewardship of the Boundary Waters requires collaboration and capacity. Undermining the Forest Service weakens the very foundation of this effort-putting both the natural landscape and the communities that depend on it at risk. Now more than ever, we need robust investment in the agencies that protect our public lands, so they can continue to serve both the Wilderness and the people who care for it."

"This is a perfect example of how Trump and Elon Musk are putting the interests of billionaires over the interests of ordinary Americans," said Chris Knopf, Executive Director of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. "Hollowing out the Forest Service so that it cannot do basic functions like issue permits for people to experience the wonders of the Boundary Waters does not serve the American people. On behalf of the 200,000 people who visit the Boundary Waters each year, we demand that the Trump administration restore these basic services."

"The Forest Service announcement means 5,500 permit holders will need to find a different location for permit issuance," Jason Zabokrtsky, Founder and Manager of Ely Outfitting Company. "This shift places a strain on permit issuing outfitters to assume that responsibility. It also means that the Forest is losing its best in-person opportunity for educating groups going into the BWCAW about Wilderness rules and regulations, Leave-no-trace ethics, and best practices. Proper education of BWCAW travelers is now more important than ever since the Forest Service has been forced to reduce BWCAW maintenance, including portage trail maintenance. Boundary Waters travelers should expect to see a lower level of basic maintenance of the Wilderness this summer. Also, due to staff and funding reductions, we are concerned about the ability of the Forest to manage potential significant natural events such as fires or windstorms that may affect the Boundary Waters this summer. Canada has paused their Remote Area Border Crossing Permit program indefinitely. They have not indicated why they have paused it, but when our two countries were on friendly relations it was operational. This has severely restricted the ability of Ely area businesses to outfit groups traveling to Quetico Provincial Park via Prairie Portage. We are also receiving notices of significant price increases from our vendors due to tariff increases. Altogether, these multiple impacts are placing a significant economic strain on businesses that support Boundary Waters travelers."

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