Wis. Senate continues work on mining bill

The Wisconsin Legislature's Senate Select Committee on Mining continued to work on reshaping the state's mining laws with a series of hearings in September and October. The sessions included testimony from the Wisconsin Mining Association, representatives of Indian tribes, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation spokesperson George Meyer talked with Silent Sports after testifying before the committee. "The earlier proposals had problems," Meyer said. Initially, Mining companies would have been allowed to "fill in lakes and cause serious damage to streams and wetlands, which would have significant impacts on recreation. And Copper Falls State Park is just downstream from the proposed Penokee mine."

Meyer said, "The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is not anti-mining, but any mining legislation needs to be respectful to the environment."

At one hearing, Sen. Glenn Grothman, a Republican from Slinger, asked if the affected Indian tribes would ever sign off on proposals to mine iron ore in northern Wisconsin. Tribal representative Ann McCammon-Soltis said, "The Bad River Tribe would be very concerned about a giant mine that affects the watershed of their reservation."

The hearings took place in response to the Gov. Scott Walker's unsuccessful attempt to push through wholesale mining law reforms last summer. Mining company Gogebic Taconite worked with legislators to rewrite existing laws in an attempt to open a mine in the Penokee Mountains near Mellen, Wisconsin. However, Republican Sen. Dale Schulz, unsatisfied the resulting legislation offered enough protection for the environment and surrounding communities, effectively blocked the proposed mining law reforms. Gogebic Taconite then abruptly pulled out of the project.

Before the project's withdrawal, the open-pit mine in northern Wisconsin was expected to be 4.5 mile long, 1.5 miles wide and 1,000 feet deep, possibly the largest of its kind in the world. It is estimated that 20 percent of the world's iron ore is located in the area. The proposed mine would have been located in a remote and unspoiled area of north-central Wisconsin known for its pristine waters and outdoor recreation.

The Wisconsin Legislature isn't scheduled to meet again until January 2013. However, Gov. Walker said he is willing to call a special session if he is satisfied a mining bill could pass with bipartisan support.

Prior to the committee hearings, the Oneida County Board decided against pursuing mining in the Town of

Lynne at an emotional August 24 public meeting.

Nineteen citizens spoke, eighteen of which opposed a proposed mine. Those opposed included Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council President Tom Maulson, who made it clear the tribe would not stop fighting the mine. Others speaking against the mine included Mark Pflieger of Harshaw who presented the Oneida County Board with a petition containing 1,252 names opposed to the mine.

Town of Lynne Chairman Dave Schatzley said he and most town residents opposed the mine out of concern of the impact sulfate mining would have on the area's rich water resources and tourism industry.

Tamerlane Ventures Inc, a publicly-traded international mining company, had expressed interest in a local mineral deposit which contains silver, copper, lead and zinc, in the Town of Lynn as well as other potential sites in Oneida County.