The bill, S.F. No. 875, proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes regarding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). It seeks to modify existing regulations related to mining and natural resource extraction in this designated wilderness area.

Key points of the proposed changes include:

1. Definitions: Definitions are clarified for terms such as "Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness" and "Rainy River headwaters."

2. Intent: The legislation underscores the state's commitment to preserving the wilderness character of the BWCA, emphasizing its natural beauty and freedom from substantial commercial activities.

3. Mining Prohibition: The bill restricts exploration and mining of minerals in the BWCA and adjacent Rainy River headwaters to specific circumstances. Mining can only occur with legislative approval in cases of national emergencies declared by Congress. Additionally, limited types of mining (like for taconite or iron ore, sand, gravel, and granite) might be permitted in the Rainy River headwaters if deemed not harmful to the BWCA.

4. Peat Harvesting Prohibition: Similar to mining, harvesting peat within the BWCA can only take place with legislative approval during national emergencies declared by Congress.

5. Investigation and Determination: In the event of a national emergency requiring resource exploitation from the BWCA, the Commissioner of Natural Resources is tasked with investigating alternative resource sources. If alternatives exist, exploitation within the BWCA will not be permitted; otherwise, it may proceed with legislative approval.

6. State-Owned Lands: Lands within the BWCA owned by the state are designated as state wilderness areas to ensure their protection under specific conservation statutes.

This bill essentially aims to strengthen the protection and conservation of natural resources in the BWCA, limiting resource extraction activities unless critically necessary, as determined by the state and federal legislative processes.