The state’s Senate committee on mining met Thursday to hear from the public on a bill that would take mining regulatory power away from local towns and communities and move it wholly to the state Department of Natural Resources.
The bill, introduced by state Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, and state Rep. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, drew immediate criticism after it was introduced Tuesday, and the response from those who flooded the Capitol Thursday showed the division.
The Republican authors of the bill argued it was a necessary step to ensure state localities do not infringe on mining companies’ private property. Representatives from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce said the bill would keep local government from stifling job growth in the industry and would take the important step of giving environmental regulation power to the DNR.
Democrats, including state Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, and other government and organization representatives attacked the bill, saying it presented a danger to local control by limiting local governments to only use their zoning regulations to control mines.
State Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, who represents a key Republican vote in the Senate, said in a statement Thursday he would not support the bill.
The bill is set to remain in the Senate mining committee until future action is taken.
