Penokee Hills Education Project holds rally on Silver Street

HURLEY — Monday afternoon, more than 30 people attended a rally on Silver Street in Hurley to discuss the possible adverse environmental affects that could result if an iron mine were to start up in Upson, Wis.

The Penokee Hills Education Project sponsored the “press conference,” led by Frank Koehn, of Ashland, Wis.

Five area residents spoke. The event lasted roughly 30 minutes.

According to Koehn, while the community is small it has “so much to lose.”

He also spoke about having good relations with Iron County residents.

“We need each others’ help, and I hope we get it,” Koehn said.

Koehn also referenced Chris Cline, president of Cline Resource and Development Group which owns Gogebic Taconite.

“I invite Chris Cline to come up here,” Koehn said. “They have been successful in Madison and in Washington, but not in Ashland County. Let’s make sure they are not successful in Iron County as well.”

The event was peaceful and was not intended to “interrupt or delay” the public hearing that was going to take place later in the day, according to a press release.

The release also said that the purpose of the project is to “educate the public about risks to the Bad River watershed and the Penokee Hills, ... and to connect with citizen-led groups locally, statewide and nationally.”

“This will not be the last press conference in Hurley,” Koehn said.