Mine company 'can work with' law to close less Wisconsin forest land

[hue]

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/environment/f163846b-5b68-59a4-9bdb-1922ff5ad736.html

A plan to close off sections of a proposed Northwoods mining site and put more control in the hands of the state Department of Natural Resources is meeting with approval from the mine company.

It's unclear exactly how much of the 3,200-acre mine site would be closed and for what periods of time, said Bob Seitz, spokesman for the Gogebic Taconite mine company.

"It’s something we can work with," Seitz said.

The mine proposal promises hundreds of jobs, but it has divided residents over its potential to harm the environment. Company attempts secure the land and keep the public away while testing is taking place has also created controversy.

A proposed amendment would scale back the reach of Senate Bill 278, which drew sharp opposition after it was introduced in late August because it would have closed about 3,200 acres of forest in the Penokee Hills for 18 months or more.

Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, said he introduced the bill as a response to a June 11 appearance at a test drilling site of a group of foul-mouthed protesters who threatened workers, damaged equipment and tried to block roads in an apparent effort to slow the response by police.

One critic, Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, said the original plan was akin to using nuclear weapons to settle a fist fight.

Mine rule change hearings

The DNR has scheduled two public hearings on administrative rule changes related to the Legislature's rewrite of the iron mining law:

*4-7 p.m. Nov. 11 in Room 305 of the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical Institute, 2100 Beaser Ave., Ashland.

*1-4 p.m. Nov. 15 in Room G09 of the state Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster, Madison.

[Scuba]

1. So instead of a nuclear explosion we get carpet bombing. Better, see?

The right's strategy of starting the negotiations at the most extreme position possible continues to work for them.