Public Forum Set For Iron County Zoning Ordinance Pertaining To Mining

Iron County is one step closer to having a zoning ordinance that would permit mining — with a public forum on the plan set for next Tuesday.

Iron County zoning administrator Tom Bergman said he and a county-hired attorney will make a presentation on the ordinance. He said it will cover local permitting of mining and industrial development. He said it sets standards for lighting, siting, groundwater, surface water and wells.

Some residents are voicing concern over how much input mining company Gogebic Taconite has had in the process.

Bergman said they want a strict ordinance to encourage an applicant to enter into a local impact agreement.

“The opportunity for the community and the county is they may be able to request that the applicant needs to invest in some sort of infrastructure for the community or they need to invest in a community development project or schools or parks or public safety,” he said.

GTAC spokesman Bob Seitz has said the company would likely work out an agreement between the counties and the company.

If no agreement is reached, Bergman said an ordinance needs to protect or mitigate against risks related to mining or industrial development.

Bergman said they welcome public input on the ordinance, which will receive a public hearing sometime in February before making its way to the full board for a vote.