Protecting the Boundary Waters, April 30, 2026
Our campaign is picking up steam! This last week alone, we engaged 23 volunteers at two events, and were joined by the Singing Resistance group. Check out the video of the wonderful call and response they led. The energy behind this race is awe-inspiring, and I am so grateful for the energy you all bring. We can win this race if you get engaged!
Protecting the Boundary Waters:
On April 27, Representative Pete Stauber's bill to open the Boundary Waters for mining was signed into law by President Trump. I am deeply disappointed that our Representative has chosen to endanger one of the world's most important sources of fresh water in order to feed America's military industrial complex.
In an interview on April 27, Stauber said that he's now working to deregulate the permitting process and increase the speed of mine creation. Stauber says that mining will not occur in the Boundary Waters, but he is propagating insidious disinformation. The truth is that water moves through the land and isn't limited by 'protected' and 'unprotected' areas on a map. The proposed Twin Metals mine in the Superior National Forest would occur literally underneath streams and rivers which flow into the Boundary Waters.
There are tens of thousands of examples of sulfide-ore mines which have resulted in toxic pollution which endanger our public health, damage agriculture and tourism industries, and waste our most precious resource: water.
The Anishinaabe people who stewarded this land since before the arrival of Euro-Americans honored the copper and rare earth mineral deposits in Northern Minnesota. Their religious and historical connection with the land and water should be given due consideration when mining is the question. The MN House Native Caucus condemned the federal action.
I'm not anti-mining, but as MN State Representative I would work to pass legislation requiring mining companies prove that they will not irrevocably pollute our land and water before they can receive a permit to begin mining.
Last weekend, I took a trip to Ely to pay homage to the glorious waters which are currently at risk of irrevocable damage. As your legislator, I will protect the Boundary Waters, and all of our water in Minnesota.
Get Involved!
The easiest and most impactful thing you can do for our campaign is to spread the word and share this newsletter with a friend. If you were forwarded this email, click here to sign up to receive future newsletters.
If you want to magnify your impact, consider volunteering for our campaign. You can help us build a strong campaign! Here's a list of what's upcoming for you to join:
Wednesday, May 13th from 1:00pm-2:30pm – Volunteer Info Session at Chisago Lakes Library. RSVP here
Saturday, May 16th at 10:30am – Wild Mountain Winery 1.5mile Run/Walk
Sign up for the 1.5-mile and join our group ‘Daniel Colten Schmidt for 28B’ for a low-intensity 1.5-mile walk through the Wild Mountain vineyard. Free Schmidt 28B t-shirt to all who join our group! Visit their website for more details.
Friday, May 22nd from 5:00pm-8:00pm – Doorknocking & Training at North Branch Library. RSVP here
Saturday, May 30th from 11:30am-3:00pm – BBQ & Hike at Checkerboard Park (38990 Keystone Ave, North Branch) - RSVP here
Join us for a BBQ, provided by the campaign, and a gentle 1.5-mile hike around the park. Get to know neighbors and Daniel better and go home with our newly-printed yard signs!
Doorknocking Trainings take place in the first hour of the three hour event, if you’ve already attended a training, come an hour after the event starts, pick a partner, and start door knocking!
If you're not able to make it to any of these dates, no worries! Email campaign@elect-schmidt.org saying you're interested in getting involved and we'll be in touch!
Recommendations
I am so thrilled to be out on the water again! While I haven’t sailed the entire water trail yet, I am really excited to do it this summer. Many of you do not know that the first job I had when I moved to Minnesota was Outdoor Guide at Wilderness Inquiry. It makes me so happy to be out on the water fishing, and spending time with my loved ones.