RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — As leaders in Marathon County put the finishing touches on their mining ordinance, their peers in Oneida county could be putting theirs before voters.
WXPR Radio in Rhinelander reports that Supervisors are considering changes to their mining laws ahead of the state lifting its so-called mining moratorium on July 1st. Among the items being considered is leasing land in Lynne for mining exploration.
Supervisor Ted Cushing says he would like to see the residents have some say in the matter before the county allows for any exploration. “Everyone I talk to thinks we should do a referendum. The taxpayers own that property. All of you out there, all of us sitting here, we own that property, and the only way to do this properly is to poll everybody.”
That vote would come in the form of a simple non-binding referendum on the November ballot. A yes vote would allow for exploration by means of bulk sampling, prospecting, or exploration. A no vote would not allow the practices.
It’s been reported that some mining companies have shown interest in a metallic deposit in Lynne containing zinc, lead, copper, and gold. However, most residents in the Town are opposed to allowing the deposit to be mined. According to WAOW TV, the county board voted 12-9 to not allow the area to be mined in 2012 following an advisory referendum showing 90% of voters were against it.
(Information from WAOW TV and WXPR Radio was used in this report)
