On January 31, 2023, the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7917, withdrawing more than 225,000 acres of heavily mineralized lands in Northern Minnesota originally set aside for mineral development. This action has since hindered opportunities for several potential operations to develop a world-class mineral deposit while blocking any future development. Not only has this decision hurt communities in Minnesota that stand to benefit from new resource development projects, but it also weakens our nation’s strategic posture by making the U.S. more reliant on foreign sources of metals and minerals, including geopolitical adversaries like China and Russia.
Fortunately, Congress is now taking action to overturn this unnecessary and damaging action to allow for responsible resource development activities. House Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) will introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution to disapprove PLO 7917. Please join us in supporting the Chairman’s CRA by signing onto the following letter to congressional leaders urging its consideration and passage. If you are interested in adding your organization’s name to other signatories on the letter, please use the following link: The letter will remain open until COB on January 14.