The Open Pit Mining bill is heading to the Joint Finance Committee on Monday and rumor has it that it will hit the Senate and Assembly floors on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, for a full vote. If passed, the Open-Pit mining bill will have paved the way for one company to fast-track a state permit to create the world's largest open-pit taconite (low-grade iron ore) mine and the public will get to foot the bill many times over: lost rivers and lakes, lost revenues to local communities, cleanup costs and legal costs.

All the lipstick in the world won't pretty up this sow.  

 

The Penokee Hills are full of water and there is no place to put billions of pounds of mine waste but in the water. Since that is currently illegal, this bill changes laws to make it legal to dump wastes in water and to even destroy some bodies of water entirely. And for that reason, the River Alliance of Wisconsin vehemently opposes this mining bill.

 

Last week, we spoke with many of our members throughout the state and heard the message loud and clear: this is a bad bill because it harms clean water and will cost the taxpayers. In their own words:

"I don't think the mine will ever get built, but it is still a bad bill."

"Knowing this is bad legislation in the first place is only a waste of taxpayer dollars that will be used to defend this ridiculous legislation down the road."

"Even though we're hundreds of miles away from the proposed mine, it's our backyard. I don't support the bill for that reason because it doesn't protect my backyard."

 

Ballou Creek, one of the surface waters deemed "fillable" under the open-pit mining bill.

The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission created a map to highlight the water bodies that will be destroyed in Phase 1 of the mine. And this bill will make it legal to do so. In the graphic above we pay tribute to a few of the beautiful coldwater streams that would be destroyed if this bill passes.

 

What Can You Do?

We only have a few more days to reach our elected leaders. If you haven't yet, please call or email your senator right now and ask them to vote no on the mining bill.

 

While you are at it, cc your email to the Co-chairs of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, Sen. Alberta Darling (Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov) and Rep. John Nygren (Rep.Nygren@legis.wisconsin.gov)

 

A Letter from Assembly Members Against the Mine

 

Dear Wisconsin Citizen,  

 

The mining legislation, Assembly Bill 1 (AB1) and Senate Bill 1 (SB1), now being considered by the state legislature affects more than just the Penokee Hills in northern Wisconsin.  This mining bill sets a precedent for allowing the destruction of lakes, streams, and wetlands on a scale that has never before occurred in Wisconsin.  People who care about our waters and our outdoor heritage are letting their voices be heard on this statewide issue.  We're asking you to join that effort.  

 

We were concerned enough about this issue that we asked for additional analysis of just how much alteration or destruction of waters the mining bill could actually allow.  The answer, it turns out, is a lot.  Click here for a sample map showing how much surface water could be effected under the bill in just one region of the state as well as a letter explaining Wisconsin's long tradition of upholding our public trust in navigable waters and how this bill violates that tradition.   

 

If, after reading this, you share our concerns we urge you to contact your own State Senator or Assembly Representative today.  AB1/SB1 will be coming up for a vote soon and your voice can make a difference.  If you do not know your legislator you can check here: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/Pages/waml.aspx 

 

Thank you in advance for all your efforts to protect our Wisconsin waters.

Fred Clark                              Dana Wachs

State Representative            State Representative

81st Assembly District          91st Assembly District