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Looks Like We Did It!
 Thanks to you and citizens from all around the state who rose up to insist upon protection of Wisconsin's air, water and land, and short of any last-minute shenanigans on the part of the legislature, the horrible mining bill has failed in the state senate.
Senator Dale Schultz courageously held firm in his commitment that changes to state mining laws could not silence public involvement in the permit process, and could not sacrifice our natural resources. He cast the pivotal vote to lay to rest the bill that would have allowed a massive open pit mine in the Penokee Hills just south of Lake Superior to proceed with little to no regard for the lakes, streams and drinking water sources lacing the area. Shortly after the bill failed, the president of Gogebic Taconite said he was taking his mine and going home ( see what The Rat has to say about that).
And we say good riddance! Not because we don't support responsible mining in Wisconsin, but because GTac made abundantly clear they had no intention of being responsible. They claimed they needed a set timeline for their permit review, but it was always all about dodging environmental protections. After GTac made their announcement, the leader of the Assembly said there would be no forthcoming compromises because GTac has already conceded enough! In other words, they weren't interested in anything short of being exempted from the environmental regulations that apply to everyone else.
Perhaps revisions to Wisconsin's mining law to provide a reasonable timeline for permit review are warranted, but the mining bill was not it.
Take a moment to thank the senators who stood up to extreme pressure and said so:
Sen.Carpenter@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Coggs@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Cullen@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Hansen@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Holperin@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Jauch@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.King@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Larson@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Lassa@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Miller@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Risser@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Schultz@legis.wisconsin.gov Sen.Shilling@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Vinehout@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen.Wirch@legis.wisconsin.gov
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