New Poll: People Don't Want Mine Law Overhaul

A new survey finds that Wisconsin voters are strongly opposed to the effects a new mining bill would have on the state’s environment.

Concern about the bill crosses party lines, a memo from the survey firm Public Policy Polling reads. "This is something Wisconsin voters from all political backgrounds find deeply troubling," the memo says.

The poll shows that 69 percent of voters oppose weakening Wisconsin’s wetlands law, while only 22 percent think doing so is necessary to attract open-pit mining companies and jobs to the state, the survey firm reports.

Majorities of Democrats (81/14), independents (70/21), and Republicans alike (53/35) in the poll are against any legislation that would hurt the state’s wetlands.

"The negative environmental fallout far outweighs any other factors for voters when it comes to this bill," the poll memo says.

Only 22 percent of voters support a provision that would reduce public participation in the mining application process, while 72 percent are opposed.

"This is another proposal where we find strong agreement across the party spectrum - Democrats (87/10), independents (74/21), and Republicans (52/37) all think there should be no weakening in the right of citizens to speak out against mining permits," the memo says.

Thirty-four percent of voters support any streamlining of environmental regulations to help bring mining jobs to northern Wisconsin, while 49 percent oppose any weakening of water protections.

Independent voters are even more against proposed streamlining of environmental regulations than the population as a whole, opposing it 51/33 in the poll.

"Wisconsin voters are sending a clear message: legislators should vote against this bill," the memo reads. "They think its negative environmental impacts far outweigh any jobs it may create. And they strongly oppose any changes to the process that would quiet citizens’ voices."

Public Policy Polling surveyed 866 Wisconsin voters on behalf of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters on Feb. 17 and 18. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.3 percent.