what does this group think of these? anyone have, seen, or have comments or info on one of these keep the BWCA open to everyone

When is that from?

Probably early 90's during the hearings on portages, motors and so on.
Worn by those wishing to open the BWCA to unfettered recreational use.
Sen Tom Bakk DFL,MN offered to make the BWCA a national recreation area like Lake Mead or Lake Havasu.

Tom

tumblehome: "Probably early 90's during the hearings on portages, motors and so on.
Worn by those wishing to open the BWCA to unfettered recreational use.
Sen Tom Bakk DFL,MN offered to make the BWCA a national recreation area like Lake Mead or Lake Havasu.


Tom"

Nah, this definitely would've been earlier than that. "Keep" implies the pin was part of a campaign to maintain the status quo -- probably late 70s.

Quick research says this was the slogan of the Boundary Waters Conservation Alliance in the late 1970s. Found this article, published October 1977 in Sports Illustrated.

"In the towns located on the edge of the Boundary Waters, residents were aroused over attempts by "outside agitators" to come in and dictate the use of the land. In Ely, the village sometimes called Canoe Town USA, bumper stickers appeared saying SIERRA CLUB KISS MY AXE. At one point a Forest Service building was burned, tires were slashed on vehicles owned by pro-wilderness people and an outfitter who leaned toward the Fraser bill had the display window in his store broken a couple of times. During hearings last summer in Minnesota over the bills, there was much shouting and finger pointing. People claimed that making the BWCA a full wilderness would deplete the local tax base to a critical degree. Resort owners swore they would go bankrupt. Loggers said they would not have enough softwood if they were banned from the BWCA. An organization was formed called the Boundary Waters Conservation Alliance and its slogan Was KEEP THE BWCA OPEN TO EVERYONE."

Ya, I agree that looks more 70ish tha
t 90s. My .2

I dunno. I can’t disagree with your research. There were plenty of pro xxx buttons being worn during the early contentious years.

Tom

Agree with the 70’s…heard stories that the first year the BWCAW was a wilderness armed groups blocked access to several BWCA entry points to “make a point”.

Geez…broken windows, burned down FS building, tires slashed…where was the law with all of this criminal activity going on?

“Keep the BWCA open to everyone” or else we will intimidate you… wonder why it didn’t work LOL

T