To the editor:

In a July rally in Minnesota, Donald Trump said, “We will end that ban in, what do you think, about 10 minutes?” He was talking about a 2022 ban on new mineral leases in a 225,000- acre tract of national forest that includes the Boundary Waters. Mineral mining is detrimental to the environment and the quality of life of people and animals in the surrounding area. It can contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface water with heavy metals and chemicals. It releases harmful substances into the air, making it difficult to breathe. It can destroy the habitats of wildlife and kill fish.

Once the mining is over, abandoned mines can continue to impact the environment through acid mine drainage, which releases heavy metals into the water system. Mineral mining is short term gain for long term pain. It provides corporations with money while depleting the locals of their resources. We have seen this happen in West Virginia and North Carolina. Northern Minnesota thrives on tourism.

Many of us in this part of the state — myself included — vacation there. If Trump and the corporations have their way, we may not be able to do so much longer. Those who come after us certainly will not be able to. If you’d like to get involved, visit https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/.

Ginny Walters

New Ulm