Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Rips Mining Bill Power Play

George Meyer, the WWF Executive Director., posted the following statement on Facebook on behalf of the major statewide organization of hunters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts over the State Senate's dictatorial management of proposed mining bills. Some supporters of de-regulated mining have tried to paint the opposition to the mining bills as single-minded environmentalists - - as if that was a negative in water-rich Wisconsin- - but the WWF speaks for broad constituencies and will be heard in editorial offices and the Legislature, too.

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation President Chuck Matyska issued the following statement on the Senate dissolution of the Senate Mining Committee: 

“ On behalf of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, I would like to express in the strongest possible terms our objection to the dissolution of the Senate Select Committee on Mining and Jobs and the public hearings that were scheduled on the mining bill. The actions of the Senate in dissolving that Committee are highly disrespectful to both supporters of the bill and the opponents of the bill especially those that live in Iron and Ashland counties.

It also is highly disrespectful of the Senators of both parties that were serving on that Committee and were doing a thoughtful job of trying to streamline mining regulations while still protecting the environment and assuring that the public would have meaningful public input into any mining decision. 

Lastly, but very importantly, this process is highly disrespectful of the Bad River Tribe. The Senate is not interacting with that sovereign nation on an equal government to government basis. Not only is that a serious breach of governmental protocol, it also will likely spell doom for the successful permitting of the proposed mining project in the Penokee Range of southern Ashland and Iron counties. 

It is beyond credibility to believe that the Senate could not suffer a bit of inconvenience and adjust its session calendar to allow a thoughtful bill to be produced. 

How do you weigh two or three more weeks of deliberation against the very real potential of having a environmentally damaging mine permitted by the weak environmental standards of AB 426.”

: