The reaction to news of a compromise on the BWCAW worked out between U.S. Representatives Jim Oberstar and Bruce Vento has been swift... and mixed. Oberstar's proposal to allow trucks on two wilderness portages has been entered into the transportation bill now under consideration by a Congressional Conference Committee. It has Vento's reluctant support after the addition of a provision removing some lakes from motor access.
Report includes comments from Bill Hansen, a Northwoods outfitter; Michael Furtman, president of Izaak Walton League of Minneosta; and Tom Bakk, state representative of Cook.
The compromise takes motorboats off two wilderness lakes and reopens two of the four portages where trucks once pulled boats between motorized lakes. A federal court ruling in 1993 took those trucks out of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
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BOB KELLEHER: The compromise takes motorboats off two wilderness lakes and reopens two of the four portages where trucks once pulled boats between motorized lakes. A federal court ruling in 1993 took those trucks out of the Boundary Waters. That inflamed Ely area residents who resent losing easy access to their backyard wilderness. A year-long negotiation effort before federal mediators collapsed a year ago without compromise.
Now Congressman Jim Oberstar, the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has found a surefire way to get trucks back into the Boundary Waters by attaching enabling language to the massive transportation bill known as BEST. With voter-pleasing road projects in almost every congressional district, the transportation bill is almost certain to pass. Wilderness outfitter Bill Hansen, with the group Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, says he's surprised and disappointed with Oberstar's tack.
BILL HANSEN: Well, I think it's a shame. And I don't think it's a solution to anything, really. And I think the problem will continue. It's not a good deal for wilderness, and not a good deal for the people of Northeastern Minnesota.
BOB KELLEHER: Hansen admits Vento support makes the measure difficult to fight. But he says his group will be in contact with senators on the joint conference committee who are known to favor preserving wilderness. Izaak Walton League of Minnesota President Mike Furtman says he's not surprised by Oberstar's manipulation of legislation. But he is surprised and a little disappointed with Congressman Bruce Vento's agreement. Furtman hopes the long-standing dispute over motor use in the Boundary Waters might be settled.
MICHAEL FURTMAN: This is not something that I'm personally going to get all upset over. I-- I'm not speaking for the league here. I don't see this, as I said, as a particularly good compromise. But it's one that I'm personally willing to live with, with the hopes that it will provide a measure of peace in Northern Minnesota and allow us to concentrate on more important things.
BOB KELLEHER: On the motor supporter side, State Representative Tom Bakk of Cook says he's worried about a reaction he's heard that wilderness supporters will continue to press for motors coming out of the BWCAW altogether. But Bakk is encouraged by the Oberstar measure, which he says is a compromise for both sides.
TOM BAKK: I think everybody gets a little something. But nobody gets everything they want. And oftentimes, that's what lawmaking and public policy is all about. I just hope that people on both sides of the issue now can get together and get this legislation passed. And hopefully we can put this very, very divisive issue of the BCAW behind us for some period of time.
BOB KELLEHER: The Oberstar-Vento compromise leaves in place a phaseout of motors on Sea Gull Lake in the Eastern Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It leaves untouched other issues raised during federal mediation, such as the use of tow boats to pull canoes across motorized lakes. Oberstar says it carefully balances the interest of Boundary Waters visitors.
Vento calls it a balanced approach that will put to rest the fight over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In Duluth, I'm Bob Kelleher. Minnesota Public Radio.