http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=38982
Republicans may be fast-tracking mining legislation, but legal challenges are expected soon after signing.
Litigation is so anticipated, in fact, that the bill includes a fiscal note from the Department of Justice requiring that funds be set aside to defend against "legal challenges," as well as to prosecute "law violations" related to mining.
"The only jobs created by their bill are going to be for lawyers," jokes Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville), who has authored competing mining legislation.
Mike Wiggins, Jr., chairman of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, anticipates that environmental groups and citizens groups will first sue regarding "violations of the Wisconsin Constitution and the public trust doctrine."
But he says his tribe, whose reservation occupies the northern portions of Ashland County, downstream of the proposed site of the Gogebic Taconite mine, will also "look at the legal realm and do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves too."
Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), one of the sponsors of Senate Bill 1 and Assembly Bill 1, says "there is no reason for a lawsuit."
"We think our bill is very sound," he adds. Amendments to the bill will be introduced at a Monday afternoon news conference.
Assembly and Senate Republicans introduced new ferrous (iron) mining legislation on January 18, which closely resembles a mining bill that failed to pass the Senate by one vote last year. An all-day public hearing on January 23 ended before all registered speakers had a chance to testify.
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