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Tribe aims to sue against WI mining law

MADISON, WI (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. 

Governor 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.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.