Reuters reported that a controversial plan to strip mine for iron ore in northern Wisconsin could proceed under a proposed state law designed to ease environmental rules.
The bill which will be discussed in a public hearing in Milwaukee was introduced by majority Republicans in the state Assembly last week. The legislation is in response to plans by Gogebic Taconite of Hurley to construct a USD 1.5 billion mine in portions of Iron and Ashland counties.
A draft mining bill released this spring contained language that would have fast-tracked mining proposals, but the bill was shelved. The current proposal eases water protections and reduces restrictions on waste rock disposal.
The company said on its web site the project could create 700 direct mining jobs, more than 3,000 construction jobs, and a total of USD 604 million in total annual economic benefit. But the plan has environmental advocates crying foul.
Mr Amber Meyer Smith director of government relations for Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy group, in a statement said "I don't know how anyone could say with a straight face that this bill doesn't contain huge rollbacks to environmental laws and gut the public input process."
He said in an interview the bill would make it harder to challenge a Department of Natural Resources decision on a mining permit. He added that the bill takes aim at current laws that protect high-quality wetlands, drinking water sources, trout streams, and clean air and water.
Mr John Jagler spokesman for Republican Assembly speaker Mr Jeff Fitzgerald said the current permitting process is "uncertain, unpredictable and lengthy. He said that "That's why this bill is so necessary. Existing law actually dissuades companies from looking here in Wisconsin, when you can do similar mining in Michigan and Minnesota with a much faster and more clear permitting process."
Gogebic Taconite, a subsidiary of a West Virginia-based mining corporation, the Cline Group, wants to build the 4 1/2-mile-long open-pit iron mine on the crest of a forested ridge near Mellen, Wisconsin.
Gogebic Taconite put its plans on hold in June after concluding existing laws could lead to lengthy environmental reviews by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Environmental concerns include the possible drawdown of water that supplies public and private wells, says Joe Barabe, the mayor of Mellen. Other dangers include potential loss of wetlands and noise from blasting and other industrial activity.
(Sourced from Reuters)
