Legislators listen to comments about mining

Talk about it

The pros-and-cons of mining in Wisconsin will be explained at three public hearings at the State Capitol.

A Senate mining panel chaired by Janesville Democrat Tim Cullen heard on Sept. 18, from the state DNR, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Wisconsin Geological Survey. The panel will hear other views Sept. 20 and 25 on both the business and environmental effects of mining.

Cullen believes there’s room for compromise, amid reports that both Republicans and Democrats are working on their own bills.

Last spring, senators failed to approve a measure that would have eased environmental laws, so Gogebic Taconite could build a large iron ore mine near Hurley that may have created 700 jobs. The debate centered on jobs versus the environment.

Cullen said there could have been a more productive session had it not been for the recall elections and pressure to pass what Gogebic Taconite wanted. The company withdrew its project when the bill didn’t pass.

Tags: government, environment, wisconsin