Wis. Republican: Must close mine forest for safety

MADISON, WI (AP) — A Republican lawmaker says the Legislature must close the woods around a northern Wisconsin mine site to protect miners and public workers from protesters.

Sen. Tom Tiffany has proposed a bill that would close around 4,000 acres in the Penokee Hills while Gogebic Taconite is exploring digging a iron mine there. The land around the site is part of the state managed forest program, which ensures it remains open for recreation.

Tiffany kicked off a public hearing on the bill in front of the Senate mining committee on Wednesday by showing a video recording of protesters accosting mine workers at the site in June. He says mine workers and public workers doing testing on the mine’s environmental impact deserve to be safe.

Opponents say the bill is an overreaction.