Current Policies
Source: http://www.images.43things.com
The BWCA Wilderness Act of 1978:
This act prohibited all logging and mining in the canoe area and established a mining protection area, as well as added 56,914 acres to the BWCA. The federal government was given cojurisdiction with Minnesota to regulate the use of motorboats. Consequently, the amount of area open to use by motorboats was reduced from 60 to 33 percent, ultimately reaching 24 percent in 1999. Maximum horsepower limits were also imposed and a quota system was established.
Management of the BWCA:
The Forest Service manages the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to meet four objectives:
- To promote, perpetuate, and where necessary restore the wilderness character of the land and its specific values of solitude and physical and mental challenge;
- To provide scientific study;
- To enhance inspiration;
- To provide for primitive recreation.
These management objectives were established through congressional acts, Executive Orders, and administrative directives. The difficulty forest managers face is allowing human use in a manner consistent with the wilderness ethic. Consequently, a carrying capacity and visitor distribution program has been established. The number of overnight groups allowed into the BWCA at each access point per day is limited so that this carrying capacity is not exceeded. This program, while not lowering the overall numbers of visitors to the wilderness, has eliminated peak periods of intensive use such as weekends and holidays. Several other regulations recently put in place also have reduced the impact of visitors. These include: (1) the prohibition of cans and bottles; (2) the limitation of camping to designated sites; (3) a maximum group size of nine people; (4) motor-powered watercraft only permitted on certain lakes; (5) permits being required for each overnight or day-use motor party from May 1 to September 30. Day use hikers and paddlers, as well as certain day-use groups using a motor, do not need a permit.
A new plan implemented in 1994 adopted specific directives for the major resource management issues in the BWCA. These new changes are varied and will impact recreational opportunities in several ways. They include:
- The number of campsites will be maintained at approximately 2,000.
- There will be a maximum of three watercraft per group.
- Group size will be a maximum of nine.
- 62 water-access entry points will be maintained.
- Overnight motor quotas will be set at 1,976 annually from May to September
- Day-use motor quotas will be set at 7,902 annually.
- Visitor permits will be required year-round for all types of travel.
- Special-use permits will be required for all guides, including day trips.
- 183 miles of hiking trails will be maintained.
- Sailboats will be prohibited.
Source: http://www.bearskin.com
The Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1986):
The formation of this plan was guided by six management problems:
- Balancing the recreational opportunities inside and outside the BWCA.
- Maintaining the appropriate mix of aspen, pine, and spruce.
- Maintaining desirable habitat for moose, deer, and grouse.
- Developing appropriate recreational facilities.
- Developing subsurface and surface resources.
- Setting aside additional wilderness.
The Plan zoned the forest into fifteen management areas, three of which were for the BWCA. The 1993 Amended Plan modified these areas and reorganized the BWCA into four management zones.
- Management Area 5.1 – Pristine (124, 118 acres)
- Areas in this zone are managed to provide a pristine wilderness experience with an almost nonexistent human presence. Recreational facilities are not constructed or maintained, and Leaving No Trace camping techniques are stressed.
- Management Area 5.2A – Primitive (395,710 acres)
- This zone will provide visitors with primitive wilderness experiences in an unmodified environment. This zone is generally off the main travel routes and intended for those who seek solitude.
- Management Area 5.2B – Semiprimitive Nonmotorized (458,852 acres)
- Areas in this zone are predominately unmodified and provide visitors with semiprimitive wilderness experiences. Solitude is not the highest priority, as these areas are located along main travel routes with increased levels of use.
- Management Area 5.3 – Semiprimitive Motorized (105,425 acres)
- This zone provides visitors with recreational opportunities in a slightly modified environment. Motor boat usage is permitted in several lakes, resulting in increased usage and decreased solitude.
Source: Zinser, Charles I. Outdoor Recreation: United States national parks, forests, and public lands. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.