6/30/2013 Tiffany accusations about mining moratorium a “figment of his imagination” State Senator Tom Tiffany (R - Hazelhurst) has made a blatantly false accusation suggesting that Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Executive Director George Meyer recommended Iron County consider a mining moratorium and needs to apologize to the citizens of Iron County for his misrepresentation of the truth. I was at the two hour Iron County Citizen’s Forum on June 27 and Senator Tiffany’s accusation is a complete fabrication of Mr. Meyer’s presentation. In a recent press release Senator Tiffany stated that “paid lobbyist George Meyer suggested that Iron County may want to implement a two-year ferrous mining moratorium.” These words are a figment of Senator Tiffany’s imagination because at no point did Mr. Meyer suggest that Iron County consider a moratorium. Not only didn’t Mr. Meyer suggest a moratorium but rather in reference to a moratorium that was proposed for frac sand mining said that he wouldn’t advise that for Iron County. Mr. Meyer was simply reviewing a variety of measures undertaken by local governments to respond to the expansion of frac sand mining in western Wisconsin. However, he emphasized that he felt that while the proposed Iron County zoning measure doesn’t do all the things necessary as Ashland County’s ordinance does, he felt it put the company on notice that Iron County would have a zoning ordinance in place. Mr. Meyer’s presentation focused on the importance of zoning regulations as the most effective means to “protect private property rights and county taxpayers.” His presentation emphasized the importance of zoning ordinances, which can also provide leverage in negotiations between the county, local communities, and the mining company that can lead to local agreements. A considerable portion of his time was a review of the very successful negotiations that occurred between Ladysmith, Rusk County, and Kennicott Copper. In that local agreement the company agreed to many community priorities including advance payments of the proceeds tax. One participant had been told that Madison would override Iron County zoning. I responded that the new law does not take away local zoning authority and that it was the most important way for citizens in the County to determine for themselves what ordinances they wanted in place to protect the community interest. I emphasized that it was important for Iron County residents to look out for their interests instead of wishing that the State or mining company would look out for them. Local agreements between affected communities and mining companies are common. Ashland County has recently adopted a local ordinance and Iron County is diligently working to consider zoning regulations as well. I appreciate the hard work by Iron County citizens from both sides to develop a policy that best serves the needs of their citizens. As one Iron County official recently told me, “Iron County wants to be at the table and not under the table.” Senator Tiffany should admit he was wrong for infusing inflammatory and false remarks that distract the good citizens of Iron County from conducting the civic conversation necessary for them to make the best decision for their communities.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 23:45:50 +0000
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