Report #1 --- Toxic River Pollution --- Gov. Thompson is fighting against holding paper companies accountable to clean up the PCB contaminated sediments in the Fox River and Green Bay --- one of the worst toxic hotspots in the United States and a major health threat to people and wildlife.  Under 14 years of influence from the Thompson Administration, the DNR has made little progress on the issue.  In 1995, just when the Public Intervenors Office was about to become involved in this issue, the Governor eliminated the office.  In 1997, the Governor maneuvered the DNR into a damaging pro-industry contract with the paper industry, undermining federal Superfund and Natural Resource Damage Assessment cases to clean up the river.  Even now, the contract continues to seriously weaken the DNR's enforcement of an appropriate state clean up.  Between 1991 and 1997, Gov. Thompson received more than $2,933,828 in campaign contributions from the paper industry and their associates.

Report #2 --- Shoreland Losses --- After intense pressure from a local politician who is a strong Gov. Thompson ally, and who co-chairs the legislature's Joint Finance Committee, DNR Secy.  Meyer reversed staff recommendations and cancelled a legal enforcement action against a wealthy home builder in Brown County who DNR staff had determined to have violated Wisconsin's shoreland zoning variance.  Instead of making a fair decision based on the law and sound science, the DNR was forced to circumvent proper procedures on the basis of political pressure.

Report #3 --- Sulfide Mining Pollution --- This report cited multiple examples of the DNR's favoritism towards the metallic sulfide mining industry, with the DNR repeatedly bending rules, circumventing established legal procedures, and discounting citizen concerns.  Between 1991 and 1997, Gov. Thompson received more than $600,000 in campaign contributions from special interests tied to the mining industry.

Report #4 --- Public Access and Shoreland Losses  --- Between 1995 and 1999, the DNR administration blatantly overrode staff findings.  They allowed significant wetland and other habitat losses, and ignored clear shoreland zoning and public access violations created by the construction of the Whistling Straits Golf Course in Sheboygan County.  Special interests tied to the Kohler Company, which built the golf course, donated $83,711 to the Governor's and legislative election campaigns between 1990 and 1998, and were also major donors to national Republican campaigns at a time when Gov. Thompson considered running for national office.

Report #5 --- Cranberries and Wetland Losses  --- Cranberry operations account for more natural wetland losses than any other activity in Wisconsin, and they receive unusual environmental exemptions under Wisconsin law.  To make matters worse, under Gov. Thompson, the DNR recently granted the cranberry industry additional special treatment under wetland protection laws despite overwhelming public opposition.  Between 1991 and 1998, campaign contributions from this industry totalled at least $113,169, with 75% contributed to Gov. Thompson's campaigns specifically.