• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Business / WMC defends environmental provisions of mining bill

WMC defends environmental provisions of mining bill

January 22, 2013 By Brian Moon

The state’s largest business group is responding to criticisms of a Republican bill to streamline mining permits in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce says it’s untrue the legislation rolls back current environmental law by allowing nearby water bodies to be dumping grounds for pollutants.

WMC’s Scott Manley says a company proposing a mining project has the burden of proving it can comply with existing law. “This bill doesn’t allow DNR to grant a permit to a mining applicant unless they can demonstrate all these water qualities can be met,” Manley tells reporters in a conference call. “They are the same standards on the books today. The bill does not change them.”

Environmentalists are concerned a proposed iron ore mine in Northern Wisconsin would dump wastewater into the Bad River which links up to Lake Superior. Manley says however the proposed mine is at least four miles from the river, meaning there will be “no direct discharge” into the river. He also claims the water being ejected must meet federal and state water quality standards.

Manley addresses the idea that the bill allows “lakes to be filled in.” He says under current state law, a lake is considered any water body that is navigable including a seasonable “puddle” that can float a kayak after a spring thaw. He says any applicant planning on filling in such a “puddle” must prove to the DNR it can meet four criteria: the fill cannot have a significant impact on water quality, stream flow, or the rights of lakefront property owners, and have no major impact on public water rights such as the right to fish or swim.

WMC is among groups supporting the GOP proposal while Clean Wisconsin and the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters are opposing it.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (1:03)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Business, Environment / Conservation, News





compeer financial celebrates beef month

Featured Stories

Republicans propose American Family Field funding plan

Kaul files lawsuit following Senate vote to oust WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe

Inconclusive Senate committee hearing on status of WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe

NWS offers tips to beat the heat this week

Renowned Menominee leader Ada Deer dies at 88

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Republicans propose American Family Field funding plan

Evers’ AmFam funding plan ‘a nonstarter’ with Assembly Republicans

New pitch clock could speed up MLB games this season, says UW expert

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC