Signed into law
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
This joint resolution opens approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties in Minnesota to mineral and geothermal leasing. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917, which withdrew such land from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years beginning in 2023. The Bureau of Land Management issued the order to protect and preserve the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from potential adverse effects of mineral and geothermal exploration and development. The joint resolution removes such protections and allows such land to be leased for the exploration and development of minerals and geothermal energy.
- Measure
- H.J.Res. 140 · 119th Congress
- Latest action
- April 27, 2026
- Policy changes
- 1
- Source
- CRS summary (Public Law) · Congress.gov
Became Public Law No: 119-85.
Who wrote it
All 4 cosponsors
- Rep. Nicholas J. Begich III (R-AK-AL)
- Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN-1)
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13)
- Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT-2)
How Congress voted
House · January 21, 2026
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 208 (Roll no. 38).
214 yea · 208 nay · 9 other · Republicans 213–1 · Democrats 1–207 · Official record
Senate · April 16, 2026
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 84.
50 yea · 49 nay · 1 other · Republicans 50–2 · Democrats 0–45 · Independents 0–2 · Official record
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Provision 1
Opens approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties in Minnesota to mineral and geothermal leasing.
Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917, which withdrew such land from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years beginning in 2023. The Bureau of Land Management issued the order to protect and preserve the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from potential adverse effects of mineral and geothermal exploration and development. The joint resolution removes such protections and allows such land to be leased for the exploration and development of minerals and geothermal energy.
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