NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2017
CONTACT: Dave Blouin, 608-220-4040 email: burroak15@gmail.com
Sierra Club Condemns Senator Tiffany’s Latest Mining Give-Away
MADISON — The Sierra Club reacted to the new mining Bill that Senator Tiffany began circulating for sponsorship yesterday. The Mining Giveaway Bill repeals Wisconsin’s ‘Prove-It-First’ Law and goes much further reducing our safeguards and protections from mining.
“Senator Tiffany has released his latest attack on Wisconsin’s environment with his proposal to gut our Prove It First mining law along with additional giveaways to the mining industry. Just as Senator Tiffany did unsuccessfully for Gogebic Taconite, Tiffany’s proposal sacrifices environmental protections for the false promise of a few short-term jobs in a dying and unsustainable boom and bust industry. These giveaways to the mining industry are nothing more than direct subsidies that reduce their operating costs while putting Wisconsin’s sustainable tourism and agriculture at risk from pollution,” said Sierra Club Mining Chair Dave Blouin, in response.
In recent history, the Legislature has been rolling back environmental protections. Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter Director Bill Davis stated, “This at the same time the legislature is working to punch other holes in Wisconsin's environmental protection in the Foxconn deal. At this rate, Wisconsin's proud tradition founded by Muir and Leopold will be completely eliminated.”
The Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter and Wisconsin Resources Protection Council today released an open letter and a policy briefing paper urging Wisconsin legislators to preserve Wisconsin’s common sense “Prove It First” Mining ‘Moratorium’ Law. Last week the Chapter released a summary of the impacts of the Flambeau mine.
“Tiffany continues to assert the falsehood that the “world’s smallest copper mine” near Ladysmith was successful. The Flambeau mine was found to have violated the Clean Water Act and groundwater is highly contaminated from mining wastes buried on site. Senator Tiffany’s proposal proves he cares more about covering up the mining industry’s poor track record than ensuring the strongest protections for Wisconsin’s environment and sustainable economy. Sen. Tiffany’s should tell Wisconsin citizens who benefits from his mining giveaway proposal since our environment and economy is threatened by it.” concluded Blouin.
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Founded in 1892 by John Muir, the Sierra Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth. The Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter is made up of 15,000 members and supporters working to promote clean energy and protect water resources in Wisconsin.