Lake Tomahawk board adopts new mining-related resolution

The Lake Tomahawk town board voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a new resolution related to sulfide mining in Oneida County.

Town chairman George DeMet said he placed the item on the agenda.

Last year, the board adopted a different resolution opposing mining. However, Eric Rempala of the conservation group Oneida County Clean Waters Action requested another one because, as DeMet put it, it’s believed some county board members are trying to insert into the county’s comprehensive plan the ability to “expand mining.”

Rempala attended the Jan. 8 meeting and explained to the board “everything that’s going on.”

DeMet said there wasn’t much discussion among board members before unanimous approval was given.

Language of the resolution praises Oneida County for its natural resources. It also states 62 percent of voters have opposed sulfide mining upstream of the Willow Flowage before and a metals company is proposing interest in drilling areas north and west of Lucille Lake near the upper Wolf River, as well as shown interest in “the Lynne Deposit.”

The resolution the Lake Tomahawk town board adopted doesn’t explicitly say the town is opposed to mining in the county, but rather, states the town considers “Sulfide Mining to be incompatible with the goals stated above, and ask the Wisconsin State Legislature to repeal Wisconsin 2017 Act 134 and replace it with the former Law, subject to thorough public review and amendment.” 

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].