The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW or BWCA) is a 1,090,000-acre (4,400 km2) wilderness area within the Superior National Forest in a northeastern part of Minnesota. A mixture of forests, glacial lakes, and streams, the BWCAW's preservation as a primitive wilderness began in the 1900s and culminated in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act of 1978. While a destination for canoeing, hiking, and fishing, it has also been a focus and debate for its resources in both the forest and mining industries.
Notable Minnesota figures tied to the BWCAW area include conservationist Sigurd Olson, resident Dorothy Molter ("Rootbeer Lady"), and outdoorswoman Justine Kerfoot.
July 9, 1999 - Nature photographer James Brandenburg describes his reaction to viewing the aftermath of massive windstorm in the BCWA. Brandenburg lives near Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
July 9, 1999 - Nature photographer James Brandenburg says it's been hard to deal with the scope of the damage to the wilderness after massive windstorm. Brandenburg lives near Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
July 12, 1999 - MPR’s Amy Radil reports on Governor Jesse Ventura viewing storm damage in northeast Minnesota. Includes excerpts of Ventura speaking and comments from residents.
July 12, 1999 - MPR’s Sasha Aslanian interviews 8th District Democratic Congressman Jim Oberstar regarding aid for Boundary Waters disaster. Oberstar flew over the Boundary Waters to view the damage from blowdown, then returned to Washington D.C. to seek federal aid for the area, meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
July 14, 1999 - MPR’s Leif Enger reports on Federal Emergency Management teams fanning out across northeasten Minnesota, gathering information to build a case for federal aid to communities in the BWCA area.
July 14, 1999 - U.S. Forest Service officials are expected to announce soon whether they'll allow further use of chainsaws and low-flying aircraft in the storm damaged Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Both have been authorized during the initial search and rescue effort in the area, but sawyer crews have nearly completed their exploration of tree-choked portages.
September 6, 1999 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on trip from the BWCA, after the severe storm on the Fourth of July that downed millions of trees over more than 300,000 acres. Despite the devastation, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is already showing signs of recovery.
September 21, 1999 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with nature photographer Jim Brandenburg about the the Boundary Waters after the massive blowdown. Brandenburg discusses the unknown long-term effects to the forest and animals.
December 30, 1999 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on fear of fire danger into new century after BWCA area blowdown. Kelleher interviews several forest officials.
July 4, 2000 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher takes a look back on the one year anniversary of BWCA blowdown, and what has happened since.