Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.

This joint resolution nullifies Public Land Order 7917, which previously restricted mineral and geothermal leasing on approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota. By overturning this order, the law removes 20-year protections intended for the Rainy River Watershed and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, among other areas. Consequently, these lands are now available for the exploration and development of mineral and geothermal resources.

This resolution affects the Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest System by nullifying land withdrawal orders in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota. It impacts entities involved in mineral and geothermal exploration and development by reopening approximately 225,504 acres of land for leasing. Additionally, the measure affects the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa and the Rainy River Watershed by removing specific land protections previously established to prevent potential adverse effects from mining.

• Nullification of Public Land Order 7917. The resolution voids a 2023 Bureau of Land Management order that withdrew approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Minnesota from mineral and geothermal leasing.
• Restoration of Mineral and Geothermal Leasing. By removing existing protections, the resolution allows the affected lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties to be leased for the exploration and development of minerals and geothermal energy.
• Removal of Environmental and Tribal Land Protections. The resolution eliminates the 20-year withdrawal intended to protect the Rainy River Watershed, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and the 1854 Ceded Territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa from potential mining impacts.

This joint resolution utilizes the Congressional Review Act to nullify Public Land Order 7917, a 2023 Bureau of Land Management action that withdrew approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Minnesota from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years.

This joint resolution aims to nullify a 20-year withdrawal of approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Minnesota from mineral and geothermal leasing. By overturning Public Land Order 7917, the resolution intends to remove existing environmental protections for the Rainy River Watershed and surrounding areas to allow for the exploration and development of mineral and geothermal energy.