The controversial bill to weaken environmental protections and streamline permitting processes in Wisconsin was voted down and returned to committee today after a compromise could not be reached. Bill Williams, Gogebic Taconite CEO, was in attendance to watch the measure get voted down. Today, Williams stated it would be difficult to keep pursuing the mine if these streamlining provisions are not enacted.
Williams statement seems plausible. After all, they can't wait around forever for an approval right? While that may be true, the regulations Gogebic and other iron-ore miners are pushing for are much more lax than even our neighbor to the west, Minnesota. Nationally, the permit process takes up to 3 years. In Minnesota, it can take over 4 years. This bill, without a compromise amendment, demands the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to make a decision within 360 days. I can't seem to understand why that extra year or two in Wisconsin is so onerous, yet not so much anywhere else. Seems a little off to me.
Also, there is a provision that removes the designation of "state natural area" for many historic, natural landmarks in the state. Why? None of this kind of restricted mining land is near the Penokee range where Gogebic wants to mine. So it can't be for them. What possible benefit can come from destroying some of the last protected remnants of our ecological past? None. No job created is worth that. I am glad that, so far, Wisconsinites have loudly made their opposition to this bill known. Its unfortunate, however, that our Republican legislators and Executive were not listening.
State Sens. Dale Schultz and Neal Kedzie worked tirelessly to find a compromise. They listened to constituents for hours. Actually listened! Unfortunately, their hard work wasn't good enough. The regulations in their compromise weren't lax enough. So now, with Sen. Schultz standing up for Wisconsin values the bill has been voted down 17-16 and voted to return to the Senate Organizational Committee for another day. Perhaps Mr. Walker and the Republican legislators is Wisconsin will lend an ear and actually listen to ALL of their constituents, instead of just the trans-national ones. We all understand that our economy in Wisconsin needs a jump. But sacrificing our environment to create jobs seems desperate to me. A last ditch effort if you will.
Obviously, I did not touch on all of the adverse effects of this bill, as it has already been debated here quite frequently. The important thing here is that the bill was shot down, and if it will be passed at all, there will probably have to be significant concessions to the environment from republicans. But don't forget this bill extends the area for pollution to nearly a half mile, calls for mitigation over salvation, destruction of navigable waters (which I thought was illegal under federal law), reduces already low taxes, jeopardizes flood insurance and some other kinds of federal funding, and goes against everything Wisconsin stands for. The people didn't write this bill, Gogebic and the mining lobbyists did. Now its up to the people to get it written properly or scrap it altogether. 700 jobs is not worth a lifetime of desecration.
UPDATE: Gogebic President Bill Williams has released a statement after the mining bill failed to pass the Senate vote. Here is the statement:
Senate rejection of the mining reforms in Assembly Bill 426 sends a clear message that Wisconsin will not welcome iron mining. We get the message. GTac is ending plans to invest in a Wisconsin mine. We thank the many people who have supported our efforts.
While it is indeed sad to realize that destroying the environment and the culture of Wisconsin to produce a profit is more important to Gogebic than working with local communities to find an amicable solution that suits everyone, it is important to remember that it was the voice of the people and their will that defeated this bill. WE ARE GLAD YOU GOT THE MESSAGE! Kudos to Sens. Schultz and Kedzie, as well! If Gogebic wants to take a step into the modern world, and leave behind the 1800's, we will be here waiting. Until then, destroy someone elses state!