This is the third in a series of reports discussing Governor Thompson's political control over Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  The Governor has now appointed all seven of the citizen members of the Natural Resources Board, which sets policy for the DNR.  In the 1995 state Biennial Budget decision, the Governor also made the DNR Secretary a political appointment of the Governor, making the Department the subject of serious political influence.

In the same Budget, the Governor eliminated the Wisconsin Public Intervenor Office which advocated for public rights in natural resources and served as watchdog over the DNR and other government agencies.  Subsequent to the Governor gaining this control in 1995, many negative changes have occurred in the DNR  Each report in this series will explore a specific example of these negative changes.

Citizens for a Better Environment
Clean Water Action Council
ECCOLA (Environmentally Concerned Citizens of the Lakeland Area)
Northern Thunder
Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter
Wisconsin's Environmental Decade

 Tom Wilson
 Headwaters Group of Northern Thunder
 PO Box 124, 320 Huron Street, Fairchild, WI  54741
 Phone & fax 715-334-2271

 Jim Wise
 ECCOLA (Environmentally Concerned Citizens of the Lakeland Area)
 124 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Tomahawk, WI  54487
 Phone 715-453-6015   Fax 715-453-9170
 

Summary

Large contributions to Governor Thompson's political campaigns from big-money interests have reduced the will and ability of the DNR to protect our environment.  By taking control of the DNR, eliminating the Public Intervenor Office, and spearheading attacks on the substance and enforcement of Wisconsin's mining regulations, Thompson has repositioned our state's mineral resources as a ripe plum ready for picking.  This report is an overview of the worst of many important mining events in Wisconsin, with emphasis on the last few years.

Introduction
Methodology
Timeline
James Klauser
Tribal Gaming Compacts
Great Lakes Diversion
DNR Budget Cuts
Costs for Noranda's Fast Track Permitting
Economics of Wastewater Transfer
Nicolet Minerals Non-Registration
Hazardous Waste Rules
Mining Moratorium Bill Passage
Democratic Connections
Mining Moratorium Enforcement
Delay in Releasing the Draft E.I.S
Science Advisory Council (SAC)
Disaster Clean-up Fund
The Harry Connection
Flambeau Reclamation
Special Tax Status
"Misconceptions About Mining in Wisconsin"
Selective Knowledge
"Toughest Mining Laws in the Country"
Intervenors Eliminated
Conclusion
Recommendations
References

The Money Trail
Major Lawfirms for Metallic Mining Companies
Crandon Mine Shareholders
Non-Metallic Mining Money
Front Group Donations
Money from Claim Holders
Convincing Money
Natural Resource Accountability Project

In the words of one mining official, "the Flambeau project ... has opened the way to the development of a new domestic mining district."(1)

Mining companies perceive Wisconsin with only weak metallic mining regulation in place as a potential "gold mine" of economic opportunity.With the election of Tommy Thompson as Governor in 1986, the coast was clear for the wresting of power by the multinational mining companies.  Next was to place a company lobbyist in office as second in command, and hire the state's largest business organization, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), to put the proper spin on their actions.  Finally, funnel sufficient campaign money to key legislators to begin the process of rewriting state administrative code and gain control over the regulatory authorities they have to deal with.

The history of the early days of mining code fabrication, and the permitting process for the Flambeau Mine is as sordid and corrupt as any in the history of environmental regulation in Wisconsin. The timeline presented in this report documents critical events which have led us to our present state of affairs of a DNR fully under the control of a Governor economically bound to the mining company interests. Numerous tables document both the parties involved and the amount of their political contributions to the Governor's political coffers.  The report examines areas of concern within the metallic mining regulatory structure which have been eroded through this process.  The magnitude and extent of Thompson's influence over the DNR is evident in the fast-track effort to open Wisconsin's often pristine natural resources to mineral exploitation primarily for the benefit of outside investors.
 

The following sections of this report discuss key details:

  The Timeline and Issues
  More Mining Issues
  The Mining Money Trail
  Conclusion and Recommendations
  Methodology and References