Act 1was the "updated" mining law. This was the law Walker championed and had passed. It was written by the mining company. About the same time it was passed, executives and their wives donated a total of $700,000 to Walkers political establishment. Since then, over 15 million in pro mining contributions have poured into Wisconsin.
The mine, despite having penned it's own rules, could not legally or functionally construct a mine at the site. With the relaxed environmental standards, it still could not construct a mine without being in violation.
The mine footprint covered 2 counties. Ashland County decided to not permit the mine to do business in their county. At the last Iron County board meeting, nearly half of the county board members were not pleased with the mine. When the mine first moved to Iron County, all the county board members were happy about the project.
The mine withdrew their mine application. No action to prompt this was taken by the legislature.
This mine created considerable civil unrest in Wisconsin. It taxed the credibility of the DNR. It threatened the largest body of fresh water in the western hemisphere with irreversible pollution.
The mine company interfered with local elections in Iron County. It galvanized a consortium of local groups to peacefully resist both the mine and Scott Walker. This resulted in masked, heavily armed guards being posted at the mine site. When the guard company was found out to not have license to do business in Wisconsin, they were forced to leave.
All in all, it was a win win outcome. We keep our clean land and water. Walker raised 15 million to finance his political ambitions.