An Act to designate the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, to establish the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Mining Protection Area, and for other purposes.
Public Law 95-495 · H.R. 12250 · 95th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Oct 21, 1978 · Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor: Rep. Phillip Burton (D-CA-6)
Cosponsors (24): Rep. Bruce Vento, Rep. Richard Nolan,
Passage votesYeaNay
- HouseRecorded vote: 248 yea, 111 nay248–111
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Establishes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Mining Protection Area, in Minnesota.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to administer the areas. Directs the Secretary to restrict motorboat usage on specified lakes and rivers within the wilderness. Prohibits snowmobiles in the wilderness except in certain areas when permitted by the Secretary.
Requires the Secretary to establish entry quotas for motorboats on specified lakes taking into account certain factors.
Permits certain owners of commercially operated resorts to require the Secretary to purchase their interests. Permits such owners to retain a limited area for personal use. Directs affected owners to offer the Secretary the right of first refusal to purchase specified lands.
Directs the Secretary to terminate, within one year, the timber sale contracts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Provides for compensation for the termination of such contracts. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the State of Minnesota in developing forest management plans to increase timber production to offset the reduction due to the reclassification.
Prohibits the authorization of any permit or lease for exploration for, or mining of, minerals owned by the United States within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Mining Protection Areas if such activities may affect navigable waters or materially impair the wilderness or environmental qualities.
Authorizes the Secretary to acquire first by donation then by purchase, any minerals or mineral rights within the wilderness and mining protection areas alleged to be owned by persons other than the Federal or State Governments.
Stipulates that the provisions of this Act are severable. Directs the Secretary to maintain certain existing water control structures at existing levels.
Continues State jurisdiction over fish and wildlife in the wilderness and mining protection areas.
Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the State of Minnesota in the administration of the areas covered by this Act.
Provides that nothing in this Act shall effect rights established by the treaties of the United States.
Authorizes the Secretary to expand recreational opportunities in the Superior National Forest outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness by constructing a system of new hiking, backpacking, and cross-country ski trails inside and outside the wilderness area. Directs the Secretary and other appropriate executive agencies to develop an assistance program for resorts and outfitters in the area. Authorizes grants to improve economic opportunities in the area surrounding the wilderness.
Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive management plan concerning the areas.
Who voted for it
Every House member of the 95th Congress on the ideology compass. Highlighted: the 250 who voted yea on final passage. Faded: everyone else, including those who voted nay, did not vote, or had not yet taken office.
250 yea111 nay69 present or did not vote
Democrats who voted yea(177)
- Rep. Parren MitchellD-MD-7
- Rep. Louis StokesD-OH-21
- Rep. Edward RoybalD-CA-25
- Rep. Phillip BurtonD-CA-6
- Rep. Anthony BeilensonD-CA-23
Rep. Charlie RangelD-NY-19- Rep. Don EdwardsD-CA-10
- Rep. James CormanD-CA-21
- Rep. Frederick RichmondD-NY-14
- Rep. Gus HawkinsD-CA-29
Rep. John ConyersD-MI-1- Rep. Robert GarciaD-NY-21
- Rep. Shirley ChisholmD-NY-12
- Rep. Benjamin RosenthalD-NY-8
- Rep. Ronald DellumsD-CA-8
- Rep. Robert NixD-PA-2
- Rep. Jonathan BinghamD-NY-22
- Rep. Frank ThompsonD-NJ-4
- Rep. George BrownD-CA-36
- Rep. Theodore WeissD-NY-20
- Rep. Cardiss CollinsD-IL-7
- Rep. George DanielsonD-CA-30
- Rep. Henry GonzálezD-TX-20
- Rep. Daniel RostenkowskiD-IL-8
Rep. Henry WaxmanD-CA-24- Rep. Charles DiggsD-MI-13
- Rep. William BurlisonD-MO-10
- Rep. John SeiberlingD-OH-14
- Rep. Paul SimonD-IL-24
Rep. Richard NolanD-MN-6- Rep. Robert KastenmeierD-WI-2
- Rep. David BoniorD-MI-12
- Rep. Robert EckhardtD-TX-8
- Rep. Peter RodinoD-NJ-10
- Rep. John BrademasD-IN-3
- Rep. Stephen SolarzD-NY-13
- Rep. Edward PattenD-NJ-15
- Rep. James HowardD-NJ-3
- Rep. Harold JohnsonD-CA-1
Rep. Daniel AkakaD-HI-2
Rep. George MillerD-CA-7- Rep. Dante FascellD-FL-15
- Rep. William BrodheadD-MI-17
- Rep. Henry ReussD-WI-5
- Rep. Norman MinetaD-CA-13
- Rep. Elizabeth HoltzmanD-NY-16
- Rep. James ScheuerD-NY-11
- Rep. Donald FraserD-MN-5
- Rep. William MoorheadD-PA-14
- Rep. Bruce VentoD-MN-4
- Rep. Daniel FloodD-PA-11
- Rep. Claude PepperD-FL-14
- Rep. Joseph AddabboD-NY-7
- Rep. Sidney YatesD-IL-9
- Rep. Abner MikvaD-IL-10
- Rep. Teno RoncalioD-WY
Rep. Barbara MikulskiD-MD-3- Rep. Joshua EilbergD-PA-4
- Rep. Alvin BaldusD-WI-3
- Rep. Harold FordD-TN-8
- Rep. Jerry PattersonD-CA-38
- Rep. Harley StaggersD-WV-2
- Rep. Morris UdallD-AZ-2
- Rep. Joseph LeFanteD-NJ-14
- Rep. Carl PerkinsD-KY-7
Rep. Ed MarkeyD-MA-7- Rep. Frederick RooneyD-PA-15
- Rep. Frank AnnunzioD-IL-11
- Rep. Richard OttingerD-NY-24
- Rep. Gerry StuddsD-MA-12
- Rep. Thomas AshleyD-OH-9
- Rep. Gene MaguireD-NJ-7
- Rep. Fernand St. GermainD-RI-1
- Rep. Leslie AspinD-WI-1
- Rep. Morgan MurphyD-IL-2
- Rep. Lucien NedziD-MI-14
- Rep. Robert DrinanD-MA-4
- Rep. John JenretteD-SC-6
Rep. Nick RahallD-WV-4- Rep. Paul TsongasD-MA-5
- Rep. Edward BeardD-RI-2
- Rep. John DentD-PA-21
- Rep. Jack BrooksD-TX-9
- Rep. Charles VanikD-OH-22
- Rep. Charles RoseD-NC-7
Rep. Christopher DoddD-CT-2- Rep. Gillis LongD-LA-8
- Rep. Neal SmithD-IA-4
Rep. Norm DicksD-WA-6- Rep. John YoungD-TX-14
- Rep. Thomas FoleyD-WA-5
- Rep. Leo RyanD-CA-11
- Rep. Ray ThorntonD-AR-4
- Rep. James TuckerD-AR-2
- Rep. Edward PattisonD-NY-29
- Rep. James BlanchardD-MI-18
- Rep. Stanley LundineD-NY-39
- Rep. Edward BolandD-MA-2
- Rep. Lunsford PreyerD-NC-6
- Rep. John SlackD-WV-3
Rep. Dale KildeeD-MI-7- Rep. Robert CornellD-WI-8
- Rep. William NatcherD-KY-2
- Rep. Matthew McHughD-NY-27
- Rep. Robert EdgarD-PA-7
- Rep. Donald PeaseD-OH-13
- Rep. Robert RoeD-NJ-8
- Rep. Joseph GaydosD-PA-20
- Rep. Herbert HarrisD-VA-8
- Rep. Gladys SpellmanD-MD-5
- Rep. James FlorioD-NJ-1
- Rep. Mark HannafordD-CA-34
- Rep. Joseph FisherD-VA-10
- Rep. John KrebsD-CA-17
- Rep. Albert GoreD-TN-4
- Rep. Bob CarrD-MI-6
- Rep. Jerome TraxlerD-MI-8
- Rep. Glenn AndersonD-CA-32
- Rep. Kenneth HollandD-SC-5
- Rep. Butler DerrickD-SC-3
- Rep. David CornwellD-IN-8
- Rep. Lester WolffD-NY-6
- Rep. Joseph MinishD-NJ-11
- Rep. Timothy WirthD-CO-2
- Rep. Dick GephardtD-MO-3
- Rep. Berkley BedellD-IA-6
- Rep. James LloydD-CA-35
- Rep. John LaFalceD-NY-36
Rep. Max BaucusD-MT-1- Rep. Lee HamiltonD-IN-9
- Rep. Austin MurphyD-PA-22
- Rep. John BreckinridgeD-KY-6
- Rep. John CavanaughD-NE-2
Rep. Tom HarkinD-IA-5- Rep. Clarence LongD-MD-2
- Rep. Patricia SchroederD-CO-1
- Rep. Jake PickleD-TX-10
Rep. Ike SkeltonD-MO-4- Rep. Mendel DavisD-SC-1
- Rep. Wyche FowlerD-GA-5
- Rep. Martha KeysD-KS-2
- Rep. Romano MazzoliD-KY-3
- Rep. Joseph EarlyD-MA-3
- Rep. Walter FlowersD-AL-7
- Rep. Leon PanettaD-CA-16
- Rep. Samuel StrattonD-NY-28
- Rep. Don FuquaD-FL-2
- Rep. Jack HightowerD-TX-13
- Rep. James MattoxD-TX-5
- Rep. Abraham KazenD-TX-23
- Rep. Peter KostmayerD-PA-8
- Rep. Les AuCoinD-OR-1
- Rep. Philip SharpD-IN-10
- Rep. Gus YatronD-PA-6
- Rep. Norman D’AmoursD-NH-1
- Rep. Ike AndrewsD-NC-4
- Rep. Floyd FithianD-IN-2
- Rep. Robert KruegerD-TX-21
- Rep. James MannD-SC-4
- Rep. Kika de la GarzaD-TX-15
- Rep. Charles WhitleyD-NC-3
- Rep. Otis PikeD-NY-1
- Rep. Richard WhiteD-TX-16
- Rep. Martin RussoD-IL-3
- Rep. Thomas LukenD-OH-2
- Rep. Stephen NealD-NC-5
- Rep. Sam GibbonsD-FL-7
- Rep. Jack BrinkleyD-GA-3
- Rep. Elliott LevitasD-GA-4
- Rep. Andy IrelandD-FL-8
- Rep. Daniel GlickmanD-KS-4
- Rep. Thomas HuckabyD-LA-5
- Rep. Charles BennettD-FL-3
- Rep. Robert GammageD-TX-22
- Rep. David EvansD-IN-6
- Rep. Glenn EnglishD-OK-6
- Rep. Harold RunnelsD-NM-2
Republicans who voted yea(73)
- Rep. Charles WhalenR-OH-3
- Rep. Bill GreenR-NY-18
- Rep. Newton SteersR-MD-8
- Rep. Silvio ConteR-MA-1
- Rep. Pete McCloskeyR-CA-12
- Rep. Stewart McKinneyR-CT-4
- Rep. Frank HortonR-NY-34
- Rep. Matthew RinaldoR-NJ-12
- Rep. Benjamin GilmanR-NY-26
- Rep. Joseph McDadeR-PA-10
- Rep. Marc MarksR-PA-24
- Rep. John BuchananR-AL-6
- Rep. Donald MitchellR-NY-31
- Rep. Millicent FenwickR-NJ-5
- Rep. Thomas RailsbackR-IL-19
- Rep. John AndersonR-IL-16
- Rep. Joel PritchardR-WA-1
- Rep. Jack EdwardsR-AL-1
- Rep. Jim JohnsonR-CO-4
- Rep. Jim JeffordsR-VT
- Rep. Hamilton FishR-NY-25
- Rep. William CohenR-ME-2
- Rep. Larry PresslerR-SD-1
- Rep. Paul FindleyR-IL-20
- Rep. Carl PursellR-MI-2
- Rep. Elwood HillisR-IN-5
- Rep. Elford CederbergR-MI-10
Rep. Ralph RegulaR-OH-16- Rep. George WhitehurstR-VA-2
- Rep. Thomas EvansR-DE
- Rep. John DuncanR-TN-2
- Rep. Jim LeachR-IA-1
- Rep. Chalmers WylieR-OH-15
- Rep. William MooreR-LA-6
- Rep. James QuillenR-TN-1
- Rep. Tennyson GuyerR-OH-4
- Rep. Paul TribleR-VA-1
- Rep. Norman LentR-NY-4
- Rep. Clair BurgenerR-CA-43
- Rep. Larry WinnR-KS-3
- Rep. Edward DerwinskiR-IL-4
- Rep. Keith SebeliusR-KS-1
- Rep. Floyd SpenceR-SC-2
- Rep. Robert CoughlinR-PA-13
- Rep. Henry HydeR-IL-6
- Rep. Robert McCloryR-IL-13
- Rep. Willis GradisonR-OH-1
- Rep. James ClevelandR-NH-2
- Rep. Robert KastenR-WI-9
- Rep. Thomas CorcoranR-IL-15
- Rep. Thomas HagedornR-MN-2
- Rep. William FrenzelR-MN-3
- Rep. Bob WilsonR-CA-41
- Rep. James BroyhillR-NC-10
- Rep. Skip BafalisR-FL-10
- Rep. Robert LagomarsinoR-CA-19
- Rep. Arlan StangelandR-MN-7
- Rep. David TreenR-LA-3
- Rep. David MarriottR-UT-2
- Rep. Robert DanielR-VA-4
- Rep. Gary MyersR-PA-25
- Rep. Garry BrownR-MI-3
Rep. W. Bill YoungR-FL-6- Rep. Barry GoldwaterR-CA-20
Rep. Chuck GrassleyR-IA-3- Rep. John WydlerR-NY-5
- Rep. William SteigerR-WI-6
- Rep. Barber ConableR-NY-35
- Rep. Carlos MoorheadR-CA-22
- Rep. Marjorie HoltR-MD-4
- Rep. Bill ArcherR-TX-7
- Rep. Dan QuayleR-IN-4
- Rep. Robert BaumanR-MD-1
Data notes
The House’s recorded vote on the final version of the law (roll call 1531 in Voteview), matched to the vote the record cites and checked against its totals. Positions are each member’s DW-NOMINATE score for that Congress, as on the Ideology page; left to right is more liberal to more conservative. Paired and announced yea votes count as yea. Lists follow the compass, most liberal first. A name links to a profile only for members of the current Congress. A law passed by voice vote or unanimous consent has no member list, and neither does a vote Voteview has not yet recorded.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 22 actions.
- Oct 21, 1978Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-495.
- Oct 20, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Oct 14, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to conference report, roll call #933 (248-111).House roll call 933
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: House agreed to conference report, roll call #933 (248-111).House roll call 933
- Oct 12, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 95-1327.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 95-1327.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 95-1770.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 95-1770.
- Oct 11, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in House.
- Oct 9, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in Senate.
- FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Oct 4, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Jun 7, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Jun 5, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, roll call #410 (324-29).House roll call 410
- May 8, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from House Agriculture Committee
- May 4, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Agriculture Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
- Apr 20, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.