Marathon County Is First In Wisconsin To Pass Sulfide Mining Ordinance

County Leaders Concerned About Possible Gold Mine Near Eau Claire River, Scenic Eau Claire Dells

Marathon County is now the first in Wisconsin to pass an ordinance regulating sulfide mining, following the repeal of the state`s mining moratorium law.

Counties now have until July 1 to enact their own local regulations before gold and copper mining in the state becomes easier to initiate.

In two public hearings held by the Marathon County Board in March, dozens of citizens and representatives of environmental groups expressed concerns over a gold sulfide deposit in the Town of Easton near the Eau Claire River and the scenic Dells of the Eau Claire county park.

Marathon County Board Chair Kurt Gibbs said the new ordinance was drafted in response to those comments, and in response to input from mining companies, the Wisconsin Counties Association, and the Wisconsin Towns Association...