Heated Discussion Over Mining at Iron County Board Meeting Tuesday 04.24.13

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April 24, 2013Updated Apr 24, 2013 at 3:03 PM CDT

Hurley, WI (NNCNOW.com) - What was planned to be a civil discussion Tuesday hadn't even started when two people had to be escorted out of the room for interruptions.

Iron County Board members wanted to clear up questions they had about the proposed Iron Ore Mine in the Penokee Range.

"We've got questions for G–Tac, we are going to ask those questions and hopefully get some response, a lot of the board members don't know exactly what G–Tac is actually going to do, we thought the mine, where the pit was going to be was on County land and it's not, so issues like that is what we are going to try and get answered tonight," said James Kichak, Vice Chair of the board.

Among other questions: pollution to drinking water and the water shed.

"Have any effect on the water table in the surrounding area or cause any problem with wells going dry..." asked board member, Gerald Luke.

"The New mining law eliminated the regulation previously put in place that the mine's waste facility should be put in place so that the tailing and pipelines do not cross wetlands...can you explain why this was taken out," asked another member Tom Innes.

Some of the company's answers hit a sour note with people, and were aked so settle down or leave in the middle of their answers.

"Streams and wetlands are highly protected and all of the regulations are in place to ensure the protection of those," answered Bob Seitz, Director of External Affairs for Gogibic Taconite as he was interrupted by crowed members, "and the impacts to those have to be demonstrated,"

The board plans on having another meeting where the public can ask the board any additional questions at a later date.

Posted to the web by Kati Anderson. 
kanderson@kbjr.com