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Gov. Walker Signs Mining For America Bill In Rhinelander

WXPR

Governor Scott Walker signed the “Mining for America” bill into law today at the Rhinelander - Oneida County Airport.

The bill eliminates the “mining moratorium law" for the issuance of sulfide ore mining permits. The mining moratorium was signed into law by Gov. Tommy Thompson in 1998 and received bipartisan support.

The law required companies to prove a sulfide mine could operate 10 years and be closed for 10 years without polluting water resources.

Tom Tiffany of Hazelhurst was lead sponsor in the state Senate...

"....mining is a very intrusive activity and you have to have very high environmental standards. If you read this bill the Governor is signing today, we do not reduce our environmental standards here in Wisconsin in any way. If any company wants to come here to Wisconsin they are going to have to live with our high environmental standards..."

Governor Walker signed the bill, saying the bill is more than about mining...

"...this is more than about mining. This is more about keeping our kids in Wisconsin. This is just one more tool, particularly here in Northern Wisconsin to keep our sons and daughters here in Wisconsin for generations to come. When I talk to people across the state that is one of the most important things they talk about. What can we do to keep our sons, daughters....here in the state of Wisconsin..."

When he was in the legislature, Governor Walker supported the moratorium. He was asked what changed....

".....what hasn't? Everything's changed even in the last five to six years let alone the last 20 years. Technology has changed and it's much easier to be able to make sure you have safe and environmentally sound mining here in the state of Wisconsin...."

Mining Moratorium supporters said the moratorium didn't stop any company from coming to mine in Wisconsin and they point to the fact that there had been companies interested in exploring, but backed out. Several years ago a Canadian firm looked at a sulfide ore deposit in the town of Lynne in Oneida county before deciding against it.

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