Cathy Stepp

When you pull a walleye from the Wisconsin River, cruise along the Fox River or dine overlooking the Milwaukee River, it’s hard to believe that 40 years ago waters had sludge so thick birds could walk across; that Green Bay dumped perfume into the East River to mask the stench, and that a sulfite liquor spill in the Oconto River discolored the paint on houses.

As the debate on the mining bill raged, we all heard the hyper political language about the environmental harm that would result from any iron ore mine. It was very difficult for me to sit back and watch. I was ever hopeful that calmer heads would prevail considering the $1.5 billion investment and the thousands of resulting jobs that the state could have welcomed while the environment is protected.