A state bar association symposium is being held today in Wausau on the impact of federal, state, local and tribal law on the mining industry.

The battles over frac sand mining and the Penokee Hills iron ore mine are being fought by Wisconsin lawyers. Today's bar association meeting brings together some of the state's top attorneys, including Chris Jaekels, who helps village, town and county governments get the best possible deal when they talk to mining companies.

“I don't necessarily advise municipalities to try to stop mining dead in its tracks, because a David and Goliath problem arises,” says Jaekels. “They're out-manned and outgunned if the effort is to try to stop it entirely.”