According to Wisconsin Governor Mr Scott Walker, he is not wedded to language in an Assembly bill that would remove some public participation from the regulatory review process for iron ore mines.

Environmentalists have criticized the bill as going too far in relaxing environmental standards. Among other things, Democrats and environmentalists have criticized the Republicans' approach to regulating wetlands and for limiting public participation in the regulatory process.

Mr Walker picked up on that point during an interview last week.

Mr Walker a Republican said on the issue of eliminating contested case hearings which give residents the opportunity to challenge decisions by the state Department of Natural Resources said "To me, that particular item is less important."

He said that "If we can get a bill that streamlines the process, that's not a must have. What we're trying to do is facilitate a bill that can get passed in both the Senate and Assembly, and ideally I think a bill that could get passed with a number of Democrats voting for it."

Earlier this year, Hurley based Gogebic Taconite demanded changes in mining legislation if it is to move forward with plans for a USD 1.5 billion open pit mine and a processing plant in a forested area of Iron and Ashland counties.

Senator Mr Robert Jauch agreed that the Assembly bill would be changed in the Senate. His district includes the mine. He said that "The (Assembly) bill goes too far and it has to change if it's ever going to pass."

(Sourced from www.jsonline.com)