MADISON, WI (AP)-- Wisconsin Republicans are looking to curtail public access to an iron mine site in far northwestern Wisconsin in hopes of stopping protesters from interfering with the project.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Representative Mark Honadel is trying to persuade Republican leaders to make changes in the state budget limiting access. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a Republican, acknowledged the discussions on Monday.
Gogebic Taconite wants to dig a massive open-pit iron mine in the Penokee Hills. The land is regulated under the state's managed forest law, which grants the landholder lower property taxes but gives the public access for hiking, hunting and fishing.
Authorities say mine protesters last week slashed tires, damaged equipment, destroyed a geologist's camera and stole her cellphone.
