Tribe begins fundraising to fight mining

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Bad River Band of Lake Superior's leader says the tribe plans to immediately begin raising money for a possible lawsuit challenging Republicans' polarizing mining changes.

Gov. Scott Walker signed a sweeping bill Monday that streamlines Wisconsin's mining regulations into law. The law is designed to help Gogebic Taconite open a huge iron mine just south of Lake Superior.

The Bad River's reservation lies just north of the mine site. The tribe fears run-off from the mine's waste rock would contaminate the reservation's water and destroy their cherished wild rice beds.

Tribal Chairman Mike Wiggins Jr. tells The Associated Press the tribe plans to begin a fundraising drive by the end of the week to generate enough money to mount a court challenge.