Mine Can’t Be Built In Iron County Until Zoning Laws There Change

Wisconsin may have a law regulating iron mining in the state, but a proposed iron mine would not be able to move forward in Iron County under current zoning there.

Iron County Zoning Administrator Tom Bergman said the county technically does not allow mining under its land use ordinance. It’s something he said needs to change.

“That would really be illegal to prohibit a use that’s allowed at a state statute level,” said Bergman. “The county has to have some zoning ordinance to control metallic mining.”

Bergman said the county began working on an ordinance more than a year ago. He said they finished a first draft in June with the help of a county-hired attorney.

Gogebic Taconite spokesman Bob Seitz said the mining company has been offering input about what they’d like to see in an ordinance.

“Probably, ultimately, this is going to be worked out in an impact agreement with the counties and the company … The idea is rather than have separate regulations in each place that you operate in — each county, each township — you bring it all together in one agreement.”

Seitz said a local impact agreement with the county would replace any county ordinances. Iron County Zoning Committee Member Vic Ouimette said he’s concerned about GTAC’s influence in the process.

“Given GTAC’s history of influencing the state Legislature and influencing the governor and they have kind of an unlimited bottomless pocketbook — I am concerned that Iron County is fairly treated in this whole process,” said Ouimette.

Tom Bergman said he doesn’t see cause for concern with the ordinance. He said the public and towns have had the same level of input.

Bergman said he will release a draft to the zoning committee and county board next week.