Wisconsin’s big jobs project blocked by tribe
ODANAH, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s Republican governor, Scott Walker, has rolled over Democrats who oppose his conservative economic plan for the state and he has survived a recall attempt. But a small band of American Indians may prove to be a tougher obstacle.
Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature are preparing to clear the way for a huge new iron mine in the state’s northwestern woods. Many residents of the region are eager for the hundreds of jobs the project could bring.
But the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s reservation lies just north of the mine site. Tribal members fear that mine waste will poison the watershed.
The tribe could tie up the project with litigation. Republican lawmakers say they want to negotiate, but believe they would be on sound footing in court.
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:32 p.m.
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I've posted this before, but it is worth looking at. The size of this mine they are proposing is so hard to imagine. This blog is from someone who lives up there and has a good understanding of mining.
http://woodsperson.blogspot.com/2013/01/...
Feb 12, 2013 at 9:58 p.m.
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"mine owners, they said they were not asking to weaken the environmental protections"
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Why is it in the bill then. Just an honest mistake? Right...keep drinking the koolade..
Feb 12, 2013 at 9:44 p.m.
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Sold all my scrap iron 4 years ago. Went to China so we could all buy it back from Government supported industry with low or no enviromental laws. We are all guilty on this one. Remember if it ever does get to be mined this ore proably won't stay in this country as American made products built by American workers who would pay American income tax to support America. Shame on all of us.
Feb 12, 2013 at 9:29 p.m.
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Where is Scooters friends now?
Feb 12, 2013 at 7:46 p.m.
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Ram Rod shoddy laws without taking the time to do what is right, get sued and taken to court, get laws over turned. I wonder how much all these republican shenanigans have cost us tax payers to defend.
Feb 12, 2013 at 6:47 p.m.
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its time to circle the wagons.look out scooter, this will be your last stand!
Feb 12, 2013 at 5 p.m.
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Walker did not want to talk to the public employs
But this group he has more to deal with not just the unions
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:44 p.m.
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brother - Why we would want to sell our soul to the devil on this? Because if we use steel it would be immoral not to mine it because of environmental risks, yet expect someone else to assume those risks.
I'm just sayin'...
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:41 p.m.
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Last year when Senator Cullen had discussions with the mine owners, they said they were not asking to weaken the environmental protections. The mine owners just wanted a definite process to follow on what they needed to do to get a mine approved. Why the Republicans can't accept Sen. Cullen's(and others) research with the mine owners just makes the Republicans look childish. Why do the Republicans not care about the safety of our land and water and air? I hope the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas Indians and the leaders of those towns affected fight for a mining bill with strict environmental protections. Don't be bullied by the thugs in Madison trying to walk all over you.
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:21 p.m.
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Still can't figure why we would want to sell our soul to the devil on this. Hey the economy is bad and times are tough, lets destroy the Pekonee Range!
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:15 p.m.
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Big jobs project 2000 jobs? Hey didn't Doyle try to keep to keep 4000 jobs with GM and he keeps getting blasted. Good luck to the Tribe and watch your back! Never been a good outcome when you negotiate with the white man.
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:11 p.m.
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and again about the mine I ask. Why does this mining bill specifically re-define a "sulfide ore body"?? Why does it specifically exclude ferrous, or iron containing compounds from environmental standards in place in this state? Who benefits from pyrite, a iron containing sulfide ore body, being excluded from restrictions? Our state? or the mining company? For those supporting the mine, are you familiar with acid rock drainage? and are you ok with this bill trying to circumvent any liability to the company from the damage this will cause thru this bill? This mine is 4 miles wide, 20 miles long and 1000ft deep, that's a lot of rock and the potential for one heck of an environmental disaster.
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:11 p.m.
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stay strong Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas Indians. Dont let no brain Walker walk all over you like he is doing to our teacher police firefighters and county workers.
Feb 12, 2013 at 3:53 p.m.
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Go figure ! Does not surprise me at all.
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