Negotiations in the federal mediation of the Boundary Waters issue are taking some time off after 14 non-consecutive days of negotiations. After months of discussion it seems there are still large disagreements over basic issues. In fact, one of the participants, Bill Hansen, a second generation canoe outfitter, has proposed just sticking with the status quo.
SPEAKER: I brought that up really in to contrast-- actually deciding that the status quo is the best thing as opposed to just failing to reach consensus and going with the status quo. In my mind, those are two different things. You can study a situation, look at it, ponder it, and then say, really the status quo is the best thing. And so that's why I put it on the table, although I don't think it's the best solution to the problem. Obviously, there's some problems with the status quo where we wouldn't be going through this exercise.
ERIC JANSEN: So you believe there are problems right now. What do you think those are? How would you resolve them?
SPEAKER: Well, I don't have any problems with the status quo. But some people do. And I think the motor portages, the prairie portage, trout lake portage, and the four-mile portage that were closed back in '93 were the problem that began this whole process. It wasn't a problem for me that they were closed. But obviously it's a problem for some people.
ERIC JANSEN: Tell me about the mediation and the negotiators. Is everybody on the same page?
SPEAKER: Well, that's a good question. The negotiation is an interest-based negotiation, which is a consensus process. So everyone in the room, and there are 20 negotiators, have to agree before anything can be done. And the concept behind that is that you examine not-- you don't come to the table with a position and try to win like you do in a traditional negotiation.
But you articulate your interests. And with everyone doing that, and with a good representation of the stakeholders, you get all the interests out on the table. So everybody gets their concerns and interests aired. And then you seek solutions as a group that best meet all the interests that maximize all the interests. And I think it's a wonderful way to deal with public policy because it produces results that are most satisfactory to the most number of people and are the most enduring.
And we've done that. We've been through the process 14 days now. And we're very close.
And the group has really gelled and has really come to understand each other's interests. And the proposals that are being brought forward and the options that are being brought forward come very close to maximizing those interests. But I think there are a couple of people that maybe are still back in that old negotiating style where they think, if I'm just tough enough, I can win. And that's just not the way it works.
ERIC JANSEN: Your family's been involved in BWCA politics for a couple generations now. Is this debate any different than it was back in '78?
SPEAKER: Yeah, it's a lot different. I'll tell you why, Eric. In '64 and '78, it was safe to say that the eighth district was against the wilderness. That's no longer true. I really believe that actually a majority of people now in Northeastern Minnesota, including the Iron Range and up on the North Shore our way, actually like the wilderness now.
ERIC JANSEN: Are you saying that people are recognizing it as more of an economic resource, and it would be a good idea to save-- to have this as a wilderness because it brings in money?
SPEAKER: Absolutely. It not only brings in money. But it provides a huge boost to the quality of life.
ERIC JANSEN: The next sessions take place in Ely in January. You think you're likely to make a breakthrough, or maybe is this time to take some time off?
SPEAKER: Well, I'm feeling more pessimistic now than I have through the whole negotiation. And I think I really believe in this mediation process. And it's just a wonderful group of people that have really come together to try to serve the interests of the whole group, with the exception of a couple of people who seem to be all of a sudden reverting to the I want it all my way or else. And I'm hoping that they will not persist in that. I'm hoping that that's a temporary thing.
But if it's not, and if we have a deadlock again at the next session, I think it would be time to let it go. And if those people indeed are-- if their motivation-- and I'm not sure this is their motivation. But if their motivation is to give up on mediation, thinking they can win more through a legislative route, I think they're wrong. I think there's a lot of political support for this type of solution, a mediated solution.
ERIC JANSEN: One more question, then I'll let you go. I'm interested in whether things have changed since the election got over. There are people who are saying that politicians were stirring the pot to make Wellstone look bad, and so on and so forth. Any difference in your view?
SPEAKER: It changed it a little bit. I think it took a little bit of the pressure off. But most of that pressure was off before the election, as it became clear that Minnesotans weren't voting on the Boundary Waters issue. They were voting on other-- frankly, more important issues.
In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution: to protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.
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