MINING COMMITTEE HEARINGS FEBRUARY 2013

WHO ARE MY WISCONSIN LEGISLATORS - http://legis.wisconsin.gov/Pages/waml.aspx

MINING – Call legislators encouraging them to pass a bill to process a mining permit.

Senator John Lehman (608) 266-1832 or email Sen.Lehman@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Bob Jauch (608) 266-3510 or email Sen.Jauch@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Bob Wirch (608) 267-8979 or email Sen.Wirch@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Tim Carpenter (608) 266-8535 or email Sen.Carpenter@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Jon Erpenbach (608) 266-6670 or email Sen.Erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Lena Taylor (608) 266-5810 or email Sen.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Dale Schultz (608) 266-0703 or email Sen.Schultz@legis.wisconsin.gov

Gov. Scott Walker on Mining – one minute audio

http://walker.wi.gov/Images/Radio%20Addresses/01%2024%2013%20WRA%20mining%20for%20jobs.mp3

Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefish – 5 minute video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AVLmLMOvCY&feature=youtu.be

Facebook: LtGovKleefisch - https://www.facebook.com/ltgovkleefisch

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RESPONSIBLE MINING LEGISLATION

MINING IS A PART OF OUR HISTORY

1. We get our badger state nickname from our mining heritage and this is represented with a miner on our state flag. The roots of Wisconsin mining began with the Native Americans who mined copper on the shores of Lake Superior.

MINING WILL CREATE NEW JOBS

2. The Northwoods has been hit especially hard by this recession. Iron County has the 2nd highest unemployment rate in Wisconsin with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of nearly 12%.

3. A mine in northern Wisconsin would create 2,834 long term jobs and up to 5,668 jobs. The average miner will have an overall income of over $80,000 per year. In just the first two years, a new mine would add over 3,000 construction jobs and a $1.5 billion direct investment into our economy.

4. Mining isn’t just good for the Northwoods, Milwaukee is the world leader in making mining equipment. Mining equipment manufacturing directly employs 2,933 workers in metro Milwaukee. The industry impacts the region with hundreds of millions of dollars in payroll and additional economic activity.

WE CAN MINE WHILE PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

5. The legislation rewrites Wisconsin law to create permitting certainty and clarity for a mining company interested in making the investment in Wisconsin.

6. Responsible mining legislation does not approve a new mine. A permit has to go through a rigorous review and approval process by the DNR. It also needs to comply with EPA regulations and get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers.

7. Legislation maintains Wisconsin’s existing air and water quality and groundwater standards.

THE CURRENT LAW DOESN’T WORK - WE NEED REFORM

8. The bill removes unnecessary roadblocks which discourage prospective companies from locating in Wisconsin.

9. Because of regulation, Wisconsin is ranked among the worst places in the world to open a mine.

10. Wisconsin is home to one of the largest known iron deposits in the world. But all iron mining in the US occurs in Minnesota and Michigan. Taconite mining has been done safely in Minnesota and Michigan for decades.

Northwoods Patriots - Standing up for Faith, Family, Country - northwoodspatriotscomm@gmail.com