A bill that would dramatically speed up Wisconsin’s mining permitting process and threaten Wisconsin's wild resources is being considered by two Republican legislators. The bill would speed up environmental impact reviews from two years to 300 days.

Senator Rich Zipperer of Pewaukee wants to reduce the timeline for ferrous, non-sulfide mining like an open pit iron ore mine proposed in far northern Wisconsin.

Gogebic Taconite will drill exploratory holes this summer in a four mile stretch in Ashland and Iron Counties.

The open pit mine in the Penokee Range would be in Democratic State Representative Janet Bewley’s district. “When the Governor puts that shingle out and says “Open for Business”, I think anyone who cares as much about the environment as we do, we’ve got to sit up straight and make sure all the t’s are crossed and i’s dotted and that our environment is protected. So is it a threat? I don’t know. Is it a reason to be more concerned and engaged? Absolutely.”

The legislation may pass before the session ends June 30 unless Wisconsin positive businesses make their voices heard.