Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 978

119th Congress

Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 5, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Doris O. Matsui

Representative

Democratic

CA-7

Cosponsors

11

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary

This bill cancels a 2023 order that withdrew federal lands in Minnesota's Superior National Forest from mineral leasing and mining activities. It requires the government to reinstate previously canceled mineral leases and permits, and sets strict deadlines for reviewing and approving mining operation plans in the forest.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

SponsorDoris O. Matsui (D-CA)

Introduced2/5/2025

StatusReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025

This bill cancels a 2023 order that withdrew federal lands in Minnesota's Superior National Forest from mineral leasing and mining activities. It requires the government to reinstate previously canceled mineral leases and permits, and sets strict deadlines for

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This bill cancels a 2023 order that withdrew federal lands in Minnesota's Superior National Forest from mineral leasing and mining activities. It requires the government to reinstate previously canceled mineral leases and permits, and sets strict deadlines for reviewing and approving mining operation plans in the forest.

Bill Number: 978
Sponsor: Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)
Introduced: 2/5/2025
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025
Bill Number: 978
Sponsor: Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced: 2/5/2025
Summary: This bill cancels a 2023 order that withdrew federal lands in Minnesota's Superior National Forest from mineral leasing and mining activities. It requires the government to reinstate previously canceled mineral leases and permits, and sets strict deadlines for reviewing and approving mining operatio

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill cancels a 2023 order that withdrew federal lands in Minnesota's Superior National Forest from mineral leasing and mining activities. It requires the government to reinstate previously canceled mineral leases and permits, and sets strict deadlines for reviewing and approving mining operation plans in the forest.

Last updated: 3/5/2026

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

The bill cancels a January 2023 order that prevented new mineral leasing on certain federal lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota.
Mining companies that had their mineral leases or permits canceled between January 2021 and when this bill becomes law would have those leases reinstated with extended 20-year terms and options to renew.
The government would have 18 months to complete environmental reviews for new mining plans and 6 months for supplemental reviews and permit approvals.
Companies that applied for preference right leases and were rejected after January 2021 would automatically receive those leases within 5 days of the bill becoming law.
Court challenges to any leases or permits issued under this bill would not be allowed.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill primarily affects mining companies seeking to extract minerals from the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, as well as federal agencies responsible for managing these lands. It also impacts environmental groups and local communities concerned about mining activities near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, as it removes protections put in place in 2023 and accelerates the approval process for mining operations.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Department of the Interior

Environmental assessment, monitoring, research

Environmental regulatory procedures

Forests, forestry, trees

Licensing and registrations

Mining

Minnesota

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

978, 119th Congress (2025). "Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-978