An overwhelming majority of voters attending the spring Wisconsin Conservation Congress hearings in Wisconsin this week want changes to the state’s iron mining law repealed.
The question was one of 45 advisory measures put to voters attending hearings in all 72 Wisconsin counties. It asked whether the state should repeal the controversial 2013 law, which eased the state permitting process for iron ore mining. Of the roughly 3,400 votes cast, 2,350 said the law should be repealed and 1,140 said it should remain. Overall, 62 counties approved the measure, eight rejected, and two tied their vote.
Other questions put to the 4,363 people attending hearings this year included rules on the overnight placement of deer stands and the use of non-toxic fishing tackle on DNR-owned property. Results from the non-binding votes are used by the Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resources board to gauge support for possible rules and policy changes.