Quarry owner unhappy with tweaks to burial site laws

By: Associated Press//December 29, 2016//

Listen to this article

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A quarry owner isn’t happy with changes a legislative study committee wants to make to burial-site protections.

Robert Shea, president of Wingra Stone and Redi-Mix, wants to mine Ho-Chunk Nation burial mounds lying in a Wingra quarry in Dane County. He needs a permit since the mounds are in the state historical society’s burial sites catalog; the tribe is fighting him in court.

Legislative leaders formed a committee to revise the state’s protections of burial sites. The panel last week put the finishing touches on a bill that would require the director of the state historical society to allow property owners to fight decisions that could cause sites to be deemed off limits for quarrying and similar activities.

Shea, who sat on the committee, released a letter Thursday saying the proposed changes wouldn’t go nearly far enough and weaken property rights.

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event