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On
October 10th, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee will host public
hearings on two separate proposals to re-instate the Natural Resources
Board's (NRB) authority to appoint the Secretary of the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
Wisconsin
Wetlands Association believes that an independent (i.e., NRB appointed)
WDNR Secretary is needed to safeguard the long-term integrity of Wisconsin's wetland
protection policies and programs. Read on for more information on how
politics undermine the regulatory oversight and policy making operations of
the WDNR and how you can help to ensure that natural resource management
decisions remain balanced and consistent.
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DNR
Leadership: Then and Now
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 From 1954 to
1995, state law gave the Natural Resources Board (NRB) the authority to
appoint the WDNR Secretary and to establish natural resources policy.
Under an NRB appointed Secretary, the job changed hands only three times
in 47 years and every appointee came to the job with many years of DNR
management experience.
Since 1995, the
law has included the WDNR Secretary among the cabinet-appointed
positions that serve "at the pleasure of the Governor" (Wis.
Statute 15.05). Under the political appointment structure, the DNR
Secretary post has turned over 3 times since 2001, and the last two appointees
came from outside the agency. Frequently, other key administrative
positions also turn over with the appointment of a new Secretary,
increasing the experience gap.
The
trend in the last six years suggests that we're all but guaranteed to see
a new DNR Secretary every time the political affiliation of the
Governor's office changes, and sometimes at the start of a new term.
Despite strong public support for consistent, pro-conservation policies
and programs, the priorities of the agency will inevitably change to
reflect the priorities of any given Secretary and the administration he
or she serves.
Former
DNR Secretary and current Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife
Federation George Meyer supports the return to
an NRB-appointed DNR Secretary and shared his perspective with WWA
leaders.
"I've
followed the inner workings of DNR for 37 years," said Meyer.
"In the 12 years since the DNR has operated under a politically
appointed Secretary, I've seen a dramatic change in the level of politics
inserted into the Department's regulatory decision-making and
policy-development activities."
This
tension may be felt most acutely where the state's wetland protection and
economic development priorities clash.
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High stakes:
Politics and Wetland Regulatory Decision-Making
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 Much of the
state's manufacturing and transportation infrastructure was sited in
wetlands before the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972. The land was
cheap and flat and, back then, not perceived as valuable. Though nearly
half of Wisconsin's
original wetlands have been drained or developed, wetlands still make up
approximately 15% of the state's land cover.
Much of WWA's
recent wetland regulatory oversight work has been in direct response to
the political tensions that arise when wetlands adjacent to existing
facilities add uncertainty to the feasibility of expansion plans.
Examples abound where demands for flexibility in the regulatory process,
if granted, could erode the integrity of the entire program. The dialogue
surrounding every major controversy is the same and ends with high level
DNR insiders speculating "If we don't figure out a way to approve
this wetland fill, the Legislature is going to overturn Wisconsin's wetland protection
laws." Economic Development summits are held, governors get
involved, the pressure on local wetland regulatory staff is immense, and
the decision-making gets elevated to the Capitol.
Though political voices will always be
part of the public debate on the costs and benefits of high-profile
wetland development proposals, an independent, Natural Resource Board
appointed- DNR administration has the best ability to adequately uphold
the state's obligation to protect Wisconsin's
wetlands and waterways for the use and enjoyment of all Wisconsin's citizens.
If you agree, please visit the sidebar
to the right for information on how you can support the return of an
NRB-appointed DNR Secretary.
Please note that WWA's
support of AB 504 and AB 42 does not imply a lack of support for current
WDNR Secretary Matt Frank. We will continue to work closely with him and
his staff to advance WWA's wetland conservation
priorities.
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How you can
help:
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State Legislators need to understand
that this proposal has strong underlying public support and is in the
best interests of the state's natural resources. WWA and other
conservation partners are working to send these messages by packing the
room at the October 10th hearing.
While testimony is always welcome, you
also have the opportunity to register in support of a bill without asking
for the opportunity to address the committee. Registration only requires
that you complete a short form providing your name and address, the bill
number, and your position on the bill (e.g., support or oppose). WWA will
register in support of AB 504.
Hearing details:
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
10:00 am
417 North (GAR Hall)
State Capitol
If you would like to register in support
of Representative Gunderson's proposal, but cannot attend the October
10th hearings, please submit written correspondence before October 10th
to:
Chairperson Gunderson and the Assembly
Natural Resources Committee
Room 7, West State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
or e-mail Representative Gunderson at Rep.Gunderson@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Please put "Comments on AB 504" in your subject line.
Click
here to see copies of AB
504 and AB
42.
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