Coming to a Forest Near You?
Not that far a distance from Wisconsin to NJ
Image courtesy of Jim Limbach - via MotherJones
This is a true story, see: Mining Company Deploys More Masked Militiamen Against “Eco-Terrorists”
Debate over a proposed open-pit iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin went from heated to outright bizarre last week when masked guards brandishing assault rifles showed up at the site in the remote and scenic wilderness of Penokee Hills.
And it can happen here.
I could not help but recognize the unbelievable similarities between the Wisconsin mining law changes and the pending NJ State forest logging bill –
Just insert the word “forest” for “mining”:
Gov. Scott Walker signed sweeping changes to the state’s mining regulations into law in March, thus allowing the mine to move forward. The new law, which creates a separate set of laws for taconite mining, abbreviates the permitting process, reduces the number of opportunities for public comment, and weakens rules on dumping mine waste into wetlands and waterways. It also reallocates mining revenues that previously went to local communities into the state’s Economic Development Corporation, a problem-plagued programWalker created in 2011 to spur job growth in the state. G-Tac worked closely with lawmakers to draft the legislation. Proponents of the law argue that it will generate new jobs in the state.
Every single one of those features from the above paragraph describes aspects of the pending NJ forestry bill. Every – single – one.
And recall that the NJ forestry bill is supported by gun nuts and opponents who smear environmental groups as “eco-terrorists”.
So, it’s not that big of a stretch, from Wisconsin to NJ.