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Editor:
Wisconsin’s controversial new ferrous mining law, Act 1, authored and championed by State Senator Tom Tiffany, has been in the news quite a bit lately. The Army Corps of Engineers has declined to work with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources due to the law’s expedited permitting timelines, and it’s been discovered that Gogebic Taconite president Bill Williams may be facing charges in Spain for criminal damage to the environment.

These developments have prompted a call for a repeal of Act 1 from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and Ashland County board supervisors Pete Russo and Charles Ortman, and even the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board, previously a strong supporter of Act 1, has called for the bill to be returned to the legislature for review. Now is the time to broaden that call.

To further that effort Citizens for the Repeal of Act 1 will be holding a press conference Monday, Feb. 3, at the Rhinelander District Library in Rhinelander, calling on Senator Tiffany to take corrective action. Here are the details:

What: Press conference calling for the repeal of Act 1.

When: Monday, Feb. 3, 1 p.m.

Where: Rhinelander District Library, 106 North Stevens St, Rhinelander.

Who: Speakers include Susan Sommer, former District 12 state senate candidate, Kelly Westlund, Ashland City Councilor and Democratic candidate for the 7th congressional district, Paul Demain, founder of the Lac Courte Oreilles Harvest, Education and Learning Project ( HELP ) and publisher of News From Indian Country, Charles Ortman, Ashland County board supervisor, and Richard Thiede, candidate for the Iron County board of supervisors.

Make every effort to attend this event. A strong public showing will send the clear message that we expect Senator Tiffany and our legislators to act responsibly in protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources. We believe that the best way to do that is to repeal Act 1. We look forward to seeing you there.
If you have questions you can call Susan Sommer at 715-891-8318, or Steve Carlson at 715-635-6416.

John Rasmussen, Rhinelander