Spruce Road Acid Mine Drainage - Friends of the Boundary Waters ...

By Greg SeitzNew research by theFriends has made it clearerthan ever that the pollutionrisks from new sulfide miningproposals in northeasternMinnesota are very real, andthat Minnesota’s governmentisn’t doing enough to monitorand regulate the industry.This summer, theFriends discovered that asulfide mining explorationsite just two miles from theBoundary Waters CanoeArea Wilderness is creatingacid mine drainage 36 yearsafter a mining companyexcavated ore. The research was the focus of a story in the Oct. 2Minneapolis Star Tribune and subsequent coverage in other media.Tipped off to the site on Spruce Road by a local resident, Friends stafftook samples of the drainage and had them tested by an independent lab.The tests showed that drainage from the site contains copper, arsenic andother metals at levels which are harmful to aquatic life and human health.The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has notmonitored the site since 1976. When asked about the lab results, theMPCA informed the Friends that the agency is unlikely to take anyaction to further analyze the drainage or reclaim the site to prevent thetoxic pollution from continuing.Ground Zero for Twin MetalsThe acid mine drainage site is located about 15 miles southeast ofEly and just a couple miles from two popular BWCAW entry points,FALL 2010 • VOLUME 32 • ISSUE 3The Friends’ mission is to protect, preserve and restore the wilderness character of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildernessand the Quetico-Superior Ecosystem. The organization was founded in 1976.Spruce Road Acid Mine DrainageToxic mining pollution discovered two miles from BWCAWAcid mine drainage at Spruce Road site. Photos taken August 15, 2010.the South Kawishiwi Riverand Gabbro Lake entries.The location is in theheart of the area now beingtargeted by the Twin Metalsmining project, a joint venturebetween VancouverbasedDuluth Metals andChilean mining conglomerateAntofagasta PLC (seestory on page 4). The sitewas excavated by InternationalNickel Company(INCO) in 1974 as a “bulksample,” a mineral explorationactivity that is muchlike a small-scale strip mine.While the Spruce Roadsite may be generating a relatively small flow of toxic drainage, the 1974excavation was far smaller than any proposed mine. The INCO projectexcavated about 10,000 tons of ore. The Twin Metals mine proposalwould extract approximately 40,000 tons of ore each day.Sulfide mining industry representatives in Minnesota have frequentlyclaimed that the sulfide content in the state’s ore is too low tocause acid mine drainage. In a story by Minnesota Public Radio thisJune, David Oliver, a spokesman for Duluth Metals, stated, “[Wasterock] is deemed below any threshold that would generate aciddrainage. It just doesn’t have enough sulfur to do it.”Toxic SoupThe Spruce Road site drainage is not acidic but the presence ofthe metals indicates acidity which would have leached the metals outof the rock before reaching the point at which sampling was possible.Spruce Road continued on page 4.Masthead photo: JimBrandenburg.com • Printed on paper using 100% post-consumer waste, processed chlorine free.

Message from the Executive DirectorThis past summer I introducedmy two young boys to aBoundary Waters canoe trip. Weonly did twelve miles or so, a tripI would do when I worked atYMCA Camp Menogyn with anotherpaddler in three hours beforebreakfast. With a six andthree year-old, it took three days!Though I questioned my sanity alittle near the end of the mileand-a-halfportage into RoseLake, the trip was well worth it.I was continuing a family paddlingtradition and I realized howmuch of a responsibility I have toPaul and his sons at the end oftheir first BWCAW portage.my kids and to all wilderness visitors of today and tomorrow.The Friends is not the sole organization interested in the BoundaryWaters Canoe Area wilderness, but we are the only one squarelyfocused on its protection, preservation and where needed, restoration.This to me sharply defines our responsibility and sets our direction.We are focused on several specific issues as you will see on thesepages. You can rely on us to protect the wilderness character byresponding to threats as they arise, understand clearly and participatemore in surrounding gateway communities, and increase resources toreach our conservation goals and build our future wilderness stewards.Everything we do is focused on getting results. Generating 25 percentof the comments on the PolyMet draft EnvironmentalImpact Statement made me proud, but the subsequent decision bythe government to do more work on the review before it moved forwardis what makes for clean water. Filing a lawsuit against AT&T andAmerican Towers about a proposed cell tower made headlines, butthe fact that the tower and its visual impairment of the wilderness hasnot yet occurred is what is truly meaningful. Spending lots of timemeeting with people who live in communities around the wildernessis rewarding, but seeing the letters-to-the-editor in local newspapersvoicing support for the value of wilderness makes a difference.Thank you for supporting our work and for everything you do tohelp protect the wilderness for the future. Our passionate, smart andgenerous members are our greatest asset. •Wish ListHelp us preserve wilderness with an in-kind gift. The followingitems will have real impact on our efforts.• Netbook or recent Intel processor laptop for presentations• Epsom R1900 or similar wide format printer for printingcustomized maps• Map drawer or map chest for storage• Modern lightweight video camera tripod forfilming presentations• External microphone for digital video camera•Heart of the Continent Partnershipplans International CommunityCongressBalancing nature and commerce inCommunities neighboring public landsEarly in October the Heart of the Continent Partnership had itsquarterly meeting in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Included was a full daykick-off meeting for the Gateway Community Initiative Design Teamthat is planning an exciting event for late October of 2011. The InternationalCommunity Congress will be a dynamic four day forum andtraining event focusing on the communities surrounding the SuperiorNational Forest and BWCAW, Quetico and La Verendry ProvincialParks, Voyageurs National Park and Grand Portage Reservationand National Monument – the Heart of the Continent. The goals ofthis workshop are to build vibrant, sustainable community economies,regional awareness and strong connections to their public lands.Teams from towns like Grand Marais, Ely, Atikokan and GrandPortage and others will gather together, participate in workshops, learnfrom other communities and develop their own initiatives that encouragesustainable development. The workshop will enhance the capacityfor active citizenship and leadership by providing a structured environmentfor citizens to gather and create new opportunities for their community,and to connect socially, economically and environmentally withtheir neighboring public lands. Each team will emerge with an economicinitiative that connects them with their public lands, increasedunderstanding of the issues and initiatives of other communities, and acloser connection to neighboring communities throughout the crossborder region.The community teams will include elected leaders (county and city,province, tribal/First Nation), business leaders (tourism, forestproducts, service industries), land managers (state, federal, provincial,national), non-profits (chamber of commerce, multi-use, environmental,universities), and interested citizens. The Design Team reflectsthese constituencies.Support is coming in from various regional US and Canadiansources. Staff from the Conservation Fund’s Conservation LeadershipNetwork will facilitate the Congress program. The Friends are significantlyinvolved in this effort with Paul Danicic serving as co-chair ofthe Design Team for the Gateway Community Initiative and Greg Seitzmanaging the HOCP website.For more information visit www.heartofthecontinent.org •02 —

Advocacy UpdateCell Phone Tower on the FernbergOn August 4, the Friends appeared in court for a hearing on atemporary injunction on construction of the proposed Fernberg Roadcell tower. As a result of this hearing, we reached agreement withAT&T and American Towers that they would extend their pause onconstruction until a hearing on the merits of the case could be held.We expect this court date to occur sometime this winter. The Friends’goal is to have the tower companies consider alternative methods fordelivering cell coverage that do not result in visible encroachmentinto the wilderness.PolyMet Mine Land Exchange – and Next StepsThe PolyMet proposed mine would take place on land that is nowpart of the Superior National Forest, near Babbitt, MN. The SuperiorNational Forest’s position is that it cannot approve an open pit mineon these public lands. One way for this mine to proceed is for the publiclands to be exchanged out of public ownership with other lands. Sucha land exchange concept has been proposed, and is at the first stage ofpublic review. The Forest Service has released “scoping” documentsand maps for public comment. The Friends will be making our commentsavailable on our website. We were disappointed at first in thelack of detail about the lands to be exchanged, and contacted the ForestService with our concerns. As a result, they agreed to supply additionalinformation on their website and at the public open houses.The Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for thePolyMet project will be released sometime in the summer of 2011 andshould include the land exchange component. This will be anotherimportant period for public comments. This supplement is being doneat the urging of groups like the Friends and because the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency highlighted significant deficiencies in the lastversion of the draft Environmental Impact Statement.South Fowl Snowmobile Trail ProjectThe Forest Service released its draft Environmental Impact Statementfor the proposed South Fowl snowmobile route. This snowmobileroute would connect McFarland Lake and South Fowl Lake in the eastern-mostportion of the Superior National Forest. Snowmobile traffictravels between these lakes currently, but portions of the existing trailhave been found to be unsafe. The Forest Service proposes moving thetrail about a mile north, which would place it 0.09 miles from the BoundaryWaters Canoe Area Wilderness. Portions of the trail would be visiblefrom the wilderness. Snowmobile travel on the route would increasemotorized sounds in the BWCAW above current levels. The preferredroute also travels through an area that is biologically and ecologicallyunique in containing some of the rarest plant species in Minnesota. TheFriends provided comments on this project and urged the Forest Serviceto adopt a different alternative route that had been considered. This alternativeroute addresses the safety concerns, while minimizing theseother impacts. Our comments can be viewed on our website.School Trust Fund Lands ExchangeWhen the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was created,about 86,000 acres of state school trust fund lands were incorporated.School trust fund lands are intended to be managed to generate incomefor Minnesota’s K-12 school budget. This often means the lands aremanaged for timber or mineral development. But the school trust fundlands within the wilderness could not be used in this manner, and havebeen managed as wilderness. In the past legislative session, the legislatureapproved a resolution calling for adopting the recommendationsof the Permanent School Trust Fund Advisory Committee which hadbeen studying how to resolve this issue. The Advisory Committee recommendedselling two-thirds of the school trust fund lands within theBWCAW and investing this for the school trust fund, and exchangingthe remaining one-third of the lands. This means finding suitable federallands outside the BWCAW to become managed as benefiting thestate’s school trust fund. A small working group of individuals fromthe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Superior NationalForest, timber and mining interests, education and county interests,and the conservation community has been pulled together to reviewcandidates lands. Betsy Daub, Friends’ Policy Director, is the conservationcommunity’s representative on the working group. She will beconsulting with a group of other environmental interests as the workinggroup looks more closely at possible exchanges.Petition to the EPA RegardingUnited Taconite Air IssuesThe Friends joined with the National Parks Conservation Associationand Voyageurs National Park Association in petitioning the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency to object to a recently issued permitfor the United Taconite processing facility in Forbes, MN. The petitioncalls for compliance with the Clean Air Act and outlines why the permit,granted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, unlawfullyallows the company to avoid pollution reduction requirements for plantmodifications. United Taconite is required to reduce its emissions underthe Minnesota Regional Haze State Implementation Plan, but the contestedpermit double counts those reductions, thereby avoiding pollutioncontrols. United Taconite emits the most sulfur dioxide pollutionamong iron ore refiners in Minnesota, at times nearly six times higherthan other processors. The Clean Air Act requires states to protect airquality in Class I areas, which includes the BWCAW, Voyageurs NationalPark, and Isle Royale National Park.Forest Plan Revision Lawsuit DecisionThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has upheld a U.S.District Court ruling against claims brought by environmental organizations,including the Friends. The lawsuit claimed that the U.S. ForestService had violated the National Environmental Policy Act when it revisedits Forest Plan for the Superior National Forest in 2004 withoutadequately considering the effects of the plan on the Boundary WatersCanoe Area Wilderness. The Court of Appeals in its October 18 ruling,found that the Forest Service did not act arbitrarily or capriciously inits development of the plan. •FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS • FALL 2010 — 03

Spruce Road from on page 1.Board of Directors ChangesThe acidity is likely being neutralized before reaching the dischargepoint, but is responsible for the high levels of metals.National mining expert Dave Chambers of the Center for Sciencein Public Participation in Bozeman, MT has reviewed the lab resultsand stated that the drainage meets the commonly-accepted definitionof “acid mine drainage.”Drainage from the site is currently flowing into a small wetland. TheFriends took samples of the drainage at the mouth of a small culvert,and from a creek below the wetland. Chemical levels in the sample takenbelow the wetland are significantly reduced over those emanating fromthe discharge source, but some levels are still above water quality standards.The drainage’s effects on the wetland are at this time unknown.A call to actionIn response to the Spruce Road site, the Friends and a coalition ofour partner organizations initiated a campaign in October to call onMinnesota’s next governor to appoint agency heads that will enforceour environmental laws and work to protect the state’s clean waters.Visit our website at www.friends-bwca.org to sign the petition and formore information.The Friends is also working to organize a meeting with industry representativesand government agencies to discuss the Spruce Road site.The lab results from our samples are what we hope is just the first stepin urging the MPCA to further analyze the site’s flow and the chemicalcontent of the drainage. Once the agency fully understands the scopeof the problem, they should monitor the site and work to ensure thepollution is stopped.•The Friends is happy to welcome Tom Mahlum to the Friends’Board of Directors. Mahlum is a partner with the national law firm ofRobins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi. He has been making regular canoetrips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the surroundingareas since the 1970s.Betsy Schmiesing and Jerry Greenberg have left the Board. Both offeredgreat contributions to the organization during their service. TheBoard and staff thanks Schmiesing and Greenberg for their manycontributions and we hope to see them on the portage trails!•Paddle and protect the BWCAWThe Friends is selling a brand-new Wenonah Minnesota II canoe.The 18’ 6” Minnesota II is the most popular canoe used in theBWCAW. The model we are selling is the Kevlar Ultra-light model,which weighs 42 lbs. The canoe features an adjustable front seat,aluminum trim, an ash yoke, and a sliding rear foot rest.We are selling the canoe for its suggested retail price of $2,599.Please contact us at 612-332-9630 or info@friends-bwca.org if you areinterested in purchasing it.The entire purchase price will go to support our work to protect theBWCAW for future generations. The Friends offers a sincere thank youto Wenonah Canoe (www.wenonah.com) for their generous support.•Newsletter SponsorThe printing costs for this newsletter are supported in part by“Paddle North: Canoeing the Boundary Waters-Quetico Wilderness.”Thank you to the Minnesota Historical Society Press for its support!•Twin Metals pushes forwardThis summer, the new joint venture between Vancouver-basedDuluth Metals and the Chilean mining conglomerate AntofagastaPLC dubbed “Twin Metals” became a big issue in the state.The massive underground mine the companies envision wouldbe located well within the watershed of the Boundary Waters, alongthe South Kawishiwi River and spanning both sides of Highway 1.The mine would be just three miles from the edge of the wilderness.In late July, the two mining companies signed a deal that couldprovide $130 million or more to advance the mine project. In earlyAugust, representatives from the company, including the chairmanof Antofagasta and the Chilean ambassador, visited Minnesota. Theywere welcomed by Governor Tim Pawlenty, who declared August 3“Twin Metals Minnesota Recognition Day.”The Minneapolis Star Tribune published a skeptical editorial aboutthe proposal and all its political support. The paper’s editorial board,which previously came out against modest financial assurance legislation,seemed unimpressed by a visit from Twin Metals V.I.P.s:“Politicians and firms like Antofagasta need to understand thatMinnesotans will not trade the state's soul — the BWCA, Lake Superior,the North Shore forest — for economic gain. The Antofagasta/DuluthMetals project's eastern edge is just a few miles fromthe BWCA. Older nonferrous mines have an abysmal environmentaltrack record. While technological strides certainly have been made,assurances that things are better now aren't going to cut it.”– Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 9, 2010•04 —

Canoe Trips Changing Young Lives“Unforgettable and Inspirational”This past summer, the Friends of the Boundary Waters WildernessThomas Flint Canoe Trips program sponsored wilderness trips for 32underprivileged youth ages 12-18 and six youth leaders. This is 11more than last year and includes a wider age range. The trips are partof our work to develop the next generation of wilderness stewards.The youth come from Minneapolis and St. Paul and are involvedin programs with the East Metro Integration District (EMID), a programof the St. Paul Public Schools, Breakthrough St. Paul andBrowning the Green, a Latino youth and family community healthprogram in Minneapolis.Support for this program came from the Thomas Flint Fund withBazinet and Carolyn Foundation funding, as well as donations fromSteve and Cynthia Snyder and Howard Keum. YMCA CampMenogyn on West Bearskin Lake off the Gunflint Trail for the ninthyear provided the expertise for the trips.Students are carefully selected by Sovatha Oum of EMID andJose’ Luis Villesenor of Browning the Green for this adventure. TheBreakthrough Collaborative staff members select their participantsbased on their summer class leaders.2010 highlights:• Four youth leaders received special assistant guide training.• These youth returned as youth mentors/guides for theyounger camper groups• Doug Nethercut, Menogyn director, reaffirmed the camp’scommitment to providing these trips in a high quality,low cost mannerThese canoe trips offereda prolonged experience inthe wilderness for youth whootherwise would never havehad the chance. In additionto being a Friends priority,the trips match Menogyn’smission to provide transformationalexperiences in awilderness setting. The lifechangingeffects of these“mini rites of passages” foryouth are significant and astrong connection to thewilderness is achieved. •By Sean Sullivan, 18-year-old youth leaderMy eight-day experience in the Boundary Waters this past summerwas unforgettable and inspirational. It wasn't my first trip, butsomething about that place never gets old to me. I went on an eightday paddle with primarily middle schoolers half my height andweight. At first this was unnerving for me because, to be honest, Idoubted their ability to perform both portaging and paddling. Myteammates quickly taught me not to cast judgments on their size.Within the first two days I saw a young boy carry a pack that weighedat least 15 pounds more than he did on a mile-long portage with ease.When it came time to paddle, they were eager to volunteer andhardly considered the option to duff. At home, I knew these boysdid not put effort into cleaning or helping out around the house.I think the difference between the Boundary Waters and being home,for these boys, is that it is a rare opportunity for them. You don't seemany inner-city youth paddling across Rush Lake or portaging thenorthern trails so when the door is opened, the experience is notwasted.I know for myself, every moment I get to spend in the BoundaryWaters I value. It is a unique place for me not only because of its indescribablebeauty, but also because it’s a space that allows me tomentally reflect on myself and who I am. There is something aboutbeing out on a lake with no modern distractions that allows me toopen up to myself and appreciate my experiences and appreciatethose whom have traveled before me. The Boundary Waters has alot of history attached to it. As I'm paddling along the lake, I am continuingon the legacy left behind by those who are no longer able toexperience the natural wonders of the Boundary Waters. •Sean Sullivan (tallest), Sovatha Oum (second from right), and kids fromEMID on one of the 2010 Summer canoe trips in the BWCAW.FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS • FALL 2010 — 05

Another successful season for Friends’volunteer programThis year, the Superior Wilderness Volunteer Connection helped put130 volunteers in the bow of a canoe with wilderness rangers in theBoundary Waters. They dug new latrines, clearedportages, managed invasive species, and lots more.The SWVC is funded by the Friends, the NationalForest Foundation, and REI. The Friends works withthe Superior National Forest to provide stipends andother support for volunteers, many of whom spend allsummer working in the wilderness.The program has a real impact on the most popularwilderness in America. Because of the unique nature ofcanoe country travel and how wilderness rangers work,the volunteers essentially make it possible to deploytwice as many canoes in the Boundary Waters. Ratherthan needing two rangers per canoe, this program letsthe rangers spread out and accomplish significantlymore work.See our cover story in the winter 2009 newsletter formore information about this important program.If you’re interested in learning more, visit our website: www.friendsbwca.org/programs/superior-wilderness-volunteer-connection/2010 program highlights:• Volunteers130 Total Volunteers80 Youth Volunteers6,090 Volunteer HoursLatrines, Portagesand Fire Grates• Field Work734 campsites maintained49 latrines dug22 fire grates replaced and/or reset124 hazardous trees felled16,361 rods of portages brushed/cleared39 miles of hiking trails brushed/cleared237 water bars cleaned and/or installed12 days of work on an archeological dig5 days of invasive plant surveys •Virtual FriendsHighlights from our web and social mediacommunications.Facebook Friends share 2010 BWCAW memoriesWe recently asked our 2,500 Facebook fans about theirBWCAW canoe trips this year. Here is a selection from the manyexcellent responses:T.J.L – Went nine days in July to Brule. It was my fiancé’s firsttime, and she cried when we had to leave.Sarah O – Took our daughters and my parents for their first trip inearly July, then went back with some friends for their first trip aweek later. We saw baby loons and heard wolves off of Gabbro.Herbert D – At age 70 it is getting harder to find friends to go…we went, were awed all over again and hopefully, we’ll go again…the beauty of BWCA is why I joined Sierra Club and Friends.Become a fan of the Friends.Visitwww.facebook.com/BWCAWto get connected.Boundary Waters Digest: Dreamy canoe country videosIn early October, we posted a pair of short videos by a Minnesotafilmmaker named Alex Horner on our blog. “Boundary Waters” part 1and 2 were shot in late September. Slow shots highlight the first rays ofmorning light on birches and other trees lit up with their fall colors.Read the blog at: www.friends-bwca.org/news/boundary-watersdigest/Twitter: Sigurd OlsonRecently, our tweets included a quote from Sigurd Olson:“Water reflects not only clouds and trees and cliffs,but all the infinite variations of mind and spirit we bring to it.”You don’t have to be on Twitter to read our tweets. Just visit:www.twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW to check it out. •06 —

Membership/Events InformationArchaeological Presentation Sheds Lighton BWCAW’s Earliest PeopleThe Friends had a great event on Tuesday, October 19 at MacalesterCollege with over 50 people in attendance to learn about the Knife Lakequarries. Bill Clayton and Lee Johnson from the Superior National Foresttalked about the 2009 archaeological survey where they found quarriesused by Paleolithic people, who visited the lake to quarry rock andmake tools up to 10,000 years ago. The archaeologists brought artifactsfrom the site and explained to the audience how the tools were madeand used. Look for more information about this archaeological find infuture newsletters and on our website. •Winter Wilderness Sampler WeekendDogsledding, skiing and more at YMCA Camp MenogynFor the second yearin a row the Friendshave put together whatshould be a very funtrip to YMCA CampMenogyn on theGunflint Trail theweekend of January 14-17 (Martin LutherKing, Jr. Day weekend).This will be a fantasticand affordable opportunity for Friends members to enjoy dogsledding, backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the wilderness, witha heated cabin to sleep in at night and all the hot cocoa you can drink.Last year, this event filled up quickly, so sign up today.Cost:Children (ages 6-12): $90 (age 5 and under are free!)Adults (13 and over): Friends member: $165Non-members (includes discountedone-year membership): $185Fee includes all food, lodging and equipment.Registration deadline is January 5, with only 50 spots available.Sleeping arrangements will be in heated cabins, but attendees willneed to bring a sleeping bag. Since the camp is located a half mileacross West Bearskin Lake please be prepared to pack tightly and hikeor ski across pulling a sled with your gear or backpack. One duffel bagand a day pack/person is a good measure. If packing for kids, you maytake a few toys and leave some more in the car, you can hike back andget the next day.Information night:There will be an informative and fun information night on January5 at 7 p.m., location REI Bloomington. Please attend to seephotos, meet other participants, learn about the weekend activities,and ask questions.We’d love you to come! Please contact Sacha Casillas at 612-332-9630 or email to: sacha@friends-bwca.org if you are interested orhave any questions. •Give to the MaxThis year GiveMN.org’s Give to the Max day will be a little different.Every hour for the full 24 hours of November 16th, onedonor, who donated during the hour; will be chosen at random andthe charity that they donated to will be given an extra $1,000. Therewill also be a chance for the Friends to win either $10,000 or $20,000if we have the most donations on that day. Last year over 38,000donors logged on to GiveMN.org and gave over $14 million to morethan 3,000 Minnesota charities and nonprofits in 24 hours.On Nov. 16, please visit www.friends-bwca.org/donate tomake a donation and help protect the Boundary Waters for futuregenerations.If you have questions, please contact Sacha at 612-332-9630 oremail to: sacha@friends-bwca.org •Introducing the “Sigurd Olson Circle”The Sigurd Olson Circle recognizesindividuals who play a vitalrole in the Friends’ work to protect,preserve and restore the BoundaryWaters Canoe Area Wilderness andthe Quetico-Superior ecosystem.Benefits include:• Special reports from theExecutive Director• Invitations to special events• Acknowledgment in theFriends’ annual report andon the website• Only one annual solicitation• The satisfaction of knowingthat you are truly preserving this unique wilderness forfuture generationsPlease help us pass on the BWCAW the way it was passed on to us.Join the Sigurd Olson Circle with a gift of $1,000 or more per year today.For more information, please call 612-332-9630 or email PaulDanicic at paul@friends-bwca.org •Leave A LegacyInclude The Friends In Your Estate PlansIf you or your advisor would like information on how to nameFriends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness as a beneficiary ofyour estate or about the benefits of a planned gift, please call612-332-9630 or email Sacha Casillas at sacha@friends-bwca.org.•FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS • FALL 2010 — 07

401 N. Third Street, Suite 290Minneapolis, MN 55401-1475P: 612.332.9630Address Service RequestedNon-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage PaidMinneapolis, MNPermit No. 4068friends-bwca.org100%From well-managed forestswww.fsc.org Cert no. BV-COC-940655© 1996 Forest Stewardship CouncilThe Friends of the Boundary Waters newsletteris printed on paper using 100% post-consumer waste,processed chlorine free.Design and production donated in part byMike Tincher, T DESIGN, Minneapolis.Staff:Sacha Casillas, Membership DirectorPaul Danicic, Executive DirectorBetsy Daub, Policy DirectorGreg Seitz, Communications DirectorBoard of Directors:Craig AaseReid Carron, TreasurerDodd CosgroveJeff Evans, ChairPete Fleming, Vice ChairSteve HoffmanTom MahlumJon NelsonMatt PoppletonNicole Rom, SecretaryRolf ThompsonBarbara WestKatrina ZabinskiHonorary Board Members:Richard FlintHerb JohnsonBecky RomAdvisory Council:Chel AndersonLee FrelichDarrell KnuffkeSteve PiragisMinnesota Environmental FundHelps Protect the BWCAWIf your company does not have MEF as a giving option,please contact Friends at 612-332-9630.“The Fire Grate Review”Available for purchase December 1The Friends is proud to announce that the inaugural edition of The Fire Grate Review,our new canoe country chapbook, will be for sale starting December 1 at www.friendsbwca.org.The chapbook features essays, stories and poems that will transport the reader to wildernesslakes, portages, and campsites. It’s perfect for winter reading when wilderness canoetrips are a cherished memory and important dreams, or for reading in the tent or aroundthe campfire while on a trip.Contributors include:Chuck DaytonPeter LeschakKevin ProescholdtPaul SchurkeSuzanne SwansonMaija SedzielarzAnd many more!Please buy your copy startingDecember 1. All proceeds will helpprotect the Boundary Waters and itsecosystem.Special Offer: Buy a gift membershipfor $30 this holiday season andthe recipient will get a free copy ofthe Review!Visit www.friends-bwca.org/donate to get started.•Ensure more of your support goes toward our work!Printing and mailing this newsletter is a significant cost. Please consider signing upto receive it only via e-mail. Contact us at info@friends-bwca.org to let us know ifyou are interested. Thank you!