Signed by Governor Scott Walker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends ferrous mineral mining regulations.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue a mining permit for ferrous minerals or deny the application within 420 days of the applications completion, with the possibility of 1 extension that cannot exceed 60 days (Sec. 96).

• Defines “ferrous mineral” as an ore or natural deposit in or on the earth that primarily exists in the form of iron oxide (Sec. 96).

• Requires an individual seeking to engage in a mining project to notify the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at least 12 months before filing an application for a mining permit (Sec. 96).

• Requires the Department of Administration to transfer 60 percent of the taxes collected from each individual extracting ferrous metallic minerals to the investment and local impact fund and 40 percent to the general fund (Sec. 32).

• Increases the deposit to the investment and local impact fund for each individual intending to submit an application for a mining permit from $50,000 to $75,000 (Sec. 33).

• Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to ensure that the impact from mining and reclamation on the air, land, water, plants, fish, and wildlife will be minimized and offset to the extent feasible (Sec. 96).

• Defines “reclamation” as the process by which an area physically or environmentally affected by mining is rehabilitated to its original state or to a state providing long-term environmental stability (Sec. 96).

• Establishes mitigation procedures for the restoration, enhancement, creation or preservation of wetlands to compensate for adverse impacts to other wetlands (Sec. 96).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends ferrous mineral mining regulations.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue a mining permit for ferrous minerals or deny the application within 420 days of the applications completion, with the possibility of 1 extension that cannot exceed 60 days (Sec. 96).

• Defines “ferrous mineral” as an ore or natural deposit in or on the earth that primarily exists in the form of iron oxide (Sec. 96).

• Requires an individual seeking to engage in a mining project to notify the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at least 12 months before filing an application for a mining permit (Sec. 96).

• Requires the Department of Administration to transfer 60 percent of the taxes collected from each individual extracting ferrous metallic minerals to the investment and local impact fund and 40 percent to the general fund (Sec. 32).

• Increases the deposit to the investment and local impact fund for each individual intending to submit an application for a mining permit from $50,000 to $75,000 (Sec. 33).

• Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to ensure that the impact from mining and reclamation on the air, land, water, plants, fish, and wildlife will be minimized and offset to the extent feasible (Sec. 96).

• Defines “reclamation” as the process by which an area physically or environmentally affected by mining is rehabilitated to its original state or to a state providing long-term environmental stability (Sec. 96).

• Establishes mitigation procedures for the restoration, enhancement, creation or preservation of wetlands to compensate for adverse impacts to other wetlands (Sec. 96).

Full Bill Text