In Wisconsin on Tuesday, January 22, alternative plans for
mining legislation were released. This was aimed at heading off a Republican
bill that relaxes environmental regulations for a proposed iron ore mine in
northern Wisconsin. This new Democratic bill would give the state Department of
Natural Resources more time to conduct its review and calls for a new tax on
iron ore. On Wednesday, a public hearing will be held in Madison; the meeting
will discuss the Republican’s plan to tailor mining laws for iron ore mining.
This Republican bill is supported by Gogebic Taconite, which is proposing to
construct a $1.5 billion iron ore mine in Ashland and Iron counties. It would
create 700 mining jobs and thousands more in construction and spinoff
employment. This bill though has come under fire from environmental groups;
they are worried about changes in iron mining laws that could harm the
water-rich ecosystem between Mellen and Hurley. The amount of sulfides in the waste
rock that covers iron ore deposits could be dangerous; the rock could mix with
air and water to cause acid mine drainage. This is a serious concern. The Bad
River band of Lake Superior Chippewa opposes the mine- it lies downstream from
the proposed site and the effects a mine would pose on water quality could be
hazardous. On acid mine drainage, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce said
state law would require a mining company in its application to engineer a
process to make sure acidified rock didn’t pollute local streams or
groundwater. The DNR couldn’t approve a mining permit if a mine couldn’t meet
water quality standards. Hopefully, the Democrats and Republicans can come to a
compromise on this issue that will be environmentally-friendly.
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