Tribes turn out to oppose Wis. mining bill

HURLEY, Wis. — American Indian tribes in northern Wisconsin are coming out strongly against a mining bill that would streamline the permitting process for a proposed iron ore mine.

Band members from the Bad River, Red Cliff and other tribes attended a legislative hearing Wednesday in northern Wisconsin. Many carried signs opposing mining.

Patricia Aiken-Buffalo, a member of the Red Cliff Band of Chippewa, spoke against the bill. She worries about what pollution would do to water and rice.

Other opponents say the bill was written to cater to the needs of Gogebic Taconic, which hopes to open the mine in the Penokee Hills near Lake Superior.

Wisconsin State Treasurer Kurt Schuller says the proposed mine would create jobs for an economically depressed area.