DNR
Watch
The Natural Resource
Accountability Project
The
Purpose of this Report
This is the 7th in a series of reports discussing Governor Thompson's
political control over Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources.
Each report in this series explores a specific example of negative changes
which have occurred within the DNR since the Governor's takeover in 1995.
Prior DNR Watch reports can be viewed in detail by clicking
here.
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Research Report No. 7
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February, 2000
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State Workers Demand:
Take Politics Out
of Environment
Survey of DNR Employees
Calls
for Reduced Role
of Governor
Politics override scientific evaluations and fair permit decisions,
compromising our state's environmental oversight process, according to
the results of a survey of all employees of Wisconsin's Department of Natural
Resources (DNR). The survey, conducted by Public
Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), found overwhelming
support for removing the Governor's power to appoint the DNR Secretary
and for re-establishing the Public Intervenors Office which was abolished
by Governor Tommy Thompson in the 1995 Budget.
Introduction
This past December, PEER mailed out surveys to all of the 3,073 employees
of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The survey
consisted of questions written by employees. More than half (1,537
individuals) answered, a very respectable response rate.
According to survey results, a strong plurality of employees registered
concerns about political influence within the agency:
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Nearly half of respondents (738 employees) feel that scientific evaluations
are influenced by political considerations with less than a third in disagreement.
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More than half do not trust DNR administrators "to stand up to political
pressure in protecting the environment." (830 employees)
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More than two in five think that business "has undue influence on DNR decision-
making." (569 staff)
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Overall, nearly half of the survey respondents agree that Wisconsin's environment
is not better protected now than it was five years ago while little more
than a third disagree. (737 employees)
The PEER survey also asked employees to write comments that identify and
explain the "biggest problem facing the DNR." By far the most
consistent answer, from more than one third of all respondents, was political
interference and the role of the Governor. As one employee
wrote: "Big business now runs the Wisconsin DNR. Our governor has
done tremendous damage to Wisconsin's reputation as an environmental leader."
On agency structure, employee sentiment was even more definitive:
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More than nine out of ten think that the DNR Secretary should not be appointed
by the Governor with more than eight in ten favoring the return of this
appointment power to the Natural Resources Board. (1,399 staff)
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More than two-thirds of respondents (1,061 employees) want the Public Intervenor's
Office restored while less than one in ten disagree.
"DNR employees themselves are doubtful about their effectiveness in preserving
Wisconsin's natural heritage," stated PEER national Field Director Eric
Wingerter. "Many employees are angry and frustrated from what
they perceive to be political interests obstructing sound science and environmental
stewardship."
The survey asked employees to assess conditions within the agency:
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Nearly two-thirds believe that DNR lacks "sufficient resources to adequately
perform its environmental mission." (999 employees)
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Three-fourths say employee morale is poor. (1,153 employees)
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More than one in six fear retaliation or know of instances of reprisal
against employees who advocate stronger environmental protection.
(277 employees)
A majority of survey respondents agreed that Secretary Meyer was doing
a "good job" but similar percentages raised doubts about the performances
of other top agency administrators. "Employees believe that Secretary
Meyer is holding up under tremendous pressure," said Wingerter, citing
another employee response which read: "The biggest problem is to
'free George Meyer' by letting the Natural Resources Board appoint the
Secretary and restoring the Public Intervenor's Office. This will
give George Meyer all his 'teeth' back."
For more information, contact Public Employees
for Environmental Responsibility, 2001 S Street, NW, Suite 570, Washington
DC 20009 Tel:(202) 265-7337 and Fax (202) 265-4192.
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