State has spent $149,000 in GTAC mine-related costs

[hue]

http://www.ashlandwi.com/news/article_d1d93ae6-b458-11e3-9fff-001a4bcf887a.html

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Revenues has fully allocated the $100,000 provided by Gogebic Taconite (GTAC) under state law for mine-related expenses between July 1- Dec. 31, but the state appears to be no closer to releasing dollars for the local community impact committees.

According to a letter released Monday by the DNR, the department has spent a total of $146,895 in eligible expenses to evaluate the proposed iron ore mine on the Penokee Range of Ashland and Iron County.

According to Ann Coakley, Director of the Bureau of Waste Materials Management of the DNR, under state statute GTAC paid out the initial $100,000 in June of last year.

In her letter to GTAC geologist Timothy Meyers, Coakley delivered a cost accounting that included $75,973 for permanent salaries, $36,912 in fringe benefits, $2,382 in travel expenses $1,251 in supplies and services, $6,384 in “other” expenses and $10,018 in indirect costs.

In the letter, Coakley requested that GTAC make their second payment authorized in the state mining statute of $250,000.

Coakley said Monday that the DNR would make periodic requests for funds of GTAC up to the maximum of $2 million authorized in the statutes.

“GTAC submitted their first $100,000 with their bulk sampling plan and preapplication notice back in June, and now we have encumbered that money and told them to send the next check,” Coakley said.

Coakley noted that the structure which funds local mining impact committees is separate from the DNR, and to her knowledge, that board hasn’t even been appointed yet.

That is a matter that provides a certain amount of frustration for Ashland County Chairman Pete Russo, who notes that the county could use some of the mining impact money to pay the mining-related bills that have begun to pile up.

[digonswine]

1. I heard on WPR-

that recovering these costs should be easy from GTAC--that is telling when a company is eager to pony up like that.

[Scuba]

2. Wouldn't it be better/cheaper to just give Geobic a few hundred million dollars?

In exchange, they could not dig the mine and pollute our waters.

[hue]

3. I'm sure they would take the $$ AND dig the mine & pollute our air, land & waters

even tho they would promise not to after taking the money.

Yipee! It's the 1% way!!