Wisconsin’s big jobs project blocked by tribe
Feb 12, 2013, 7:56 PM
ODANAH, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s Republican governor, Scott Walker, has rolled over Democrats who oppose his conservative economic plan for the state and he has survived a recall attempt. But a small band of American Indians may prove to be a tougher obstacle.
Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature are preparing to clear the way for a huge new iron mine in the state’s northwestern woods. Many residents of the region are eager for the hundreds of jobs the project could bring.
But the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s reservation lies just north of the mine site. Tribal members fear that mine waste will poison the watershed.
The tribe could tie up the project with litigation. Republican lawmakers say they want to negotiate, but believe they would be on sound footing in court.
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