Mining Bill Will Allow Wetlands Filling, Riverbank Rock Waste Dumping

So much for the environmental protections Gov. Walker promised in his State of the State speech last night when touting the return of last session's defeated mining bill.

Reporter Ron Seely explains, quoting legislators:

...[state] Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, introduced the proposal to a crowded conference room in the governor's office...

But, just as last time around, critics pointed out that the legislation would allow a mining company to dispose of mining wastes in wetlands, rivers and streams. State Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, who chaired a joint mining committee that came up with its own version of a bill, said...

"It clearly allows the filling of lakes and streams...."