DNR
Watch - Research Report No. 7, cont.
Employees
Speak Out
The following are typical responses to the question: "In my opinion,
the biggest problem facing the DNR is . . ." Note: This is an abbreviated
summary of responses. For a more complete listing, contact
PEER.
Political Influence From Governor Thompson (220 responses)
-
"Governor 'Toxic Tommy' Thompson. Gov. Thompson has a long resume of opposing
efforts to clean up and protect the environment except when there is political
benefit to him personally."
-
"I grew up in Michigan and chose to work for the Wisconsin DNR 25 years
ago because it was and has been one of the best environmental agencies
in the US. That is changing now, negatively. Governor Thompson
is very shrewd and makes far-reaching decision out of the public eye and
with his extreme budget veto power, often completely reversing legislative
intent."
-
"Undue influence of the Governor's office to benefit his friends --- state
budget and services in this state are for sale if you have the money, i.e.
the Ashley Furniture deal!"
-
The Governor built a major, unneeded hatchery and named it for himself.
In the process, wetlands were filled, wastewater permitting not followed,
and forest areas not meant to be cut for 50 years were clear cut and paved."
-
"The Governor is so supportive of business that the DNR is not allowed
to deny easements and permits."
-
"The Governor of Wisconsin wields non-scientific influence over the actions
of DNR. The Governor told co-workers and a division administrator
not to release a mining EIS before the last gubernatorial election, for
fear it could cost him votes. (EIS was not complete before then,
it turned out.) Fear of criticism by DNR staff of the Dept.
of Transportation 20-year road-building plan, which in turn threatens the
profits of highway builders, the Governor's campaign contributors, led
the DNR Secretary to remove a co-worker from his duties performing environmental
impact reviews of highway plans. Political influence at its worst."
-
"Political pressure and lobbying by money to Governor which causes a) losing
battle on land use planning/zoning --- destroying natural environment.
b) loss of critical sensitive environment areas in the name of job creation
when we're already short of workers. Examples: Crandon Mine approved,
water bottling company in Mecan River watershed."
-
Inability of a well-meaning honest Secretary (Meyer) to stand up to political
pressures from Gov. Thompson and those who contribute financially to Thompson's
campaign. Also, FEAR of not doing the right thing politically is
causing many good conscientious employees who have no backing from the
administration to leave the agency. We have a brain drain and are
losing the historic perspective of an honest and integrity-filled DNR.
Very, very sad for the state."
-
"We are dead in the water as an agency --- exactly where the Governor and
his business supporters want us."
Influence From the Legislature (40 responses)
-
"The state legislature is more frequently influencing, or reversing, science-based
decisions and/or policies for their own political gain."
-
"Increasing micro-management of the DNR by the legislature. The legislature
has eliminated positions or reduced funding of programs at the DNR they
disagree with. The elimination of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway
-
coordinator is the best example of this. Eliminating that position
was a clear act of retribution by a member of the state Senate."
Influence From Big Business (62 responses)
-
"I have seen project after project thwarted, denied, ignored because of
monied "interests." Citizens never get the attention that the paper
industry and road-builders do. In some cases we are required to get
businesses involved in decisions where the public is ignored. Permitting
decisions/rules are based on industrial management practices, not the public's
or the environment's health."
-
"Political considerations and job-relocation threats by polluters often
outweigh environmental concerns. The secretary says he has
never vetoed a referral to DOJ for enforcement. He is correct.
The next level of management below the secretary has that job."
"Politics" in General (135 responses)
-
Political influence and bowing to the changing winds of the day.
Good scientific studies with adequate professional peer review are lacking.
To sum up my frustration, I will quote you a statement made by my superior:
"We don't do science at the DNR.""
-
"Many of us Old Timers (20-30 years of staff) probably wouldn't hire on
with today's DNR because when we hired on our mission was to serve the
general public and the resources, not the politically influential.
Simple math proves the inefficiency of serving the public one at a time
vs. collectively."
Agency Reorganization (293 Responses)
-
"Our new organizational structure has virtually eliminated program checks
and balances, program direction, accountability and leadership at the field
level. Instead of "program-based" support at the field level, we
now have only non-program-based supervisors and generic "team" support.
Resource Management is floundering and the public and resource base are
the victims. Over most my 30 year career, Wisconsin DNR has been
a leader in Resource Management and research --- in just a few short years
that's been reversed!"
-
"Reorganization has done exactly what our Governor wanted --- cripple the
DNR, hire spineless management, and let the staff/field workers take the
fall. Northeast and Southeast region have the worst management ---
especially in the water and waste programs. We are even told, as
field staff, that businesses are our customers and we need to please them
and keep them happy."
-
"Applicants for permits may as well be asked if they want French Fries
with their approvals because nothing is ever denied. Working here
now is barely tolerable and I'm ashamed to tell anybody that I do.
By the way, I'm a manager with [over 20] years of experience."
Staffing & Funding (230 responses)
-
"Woefully insufficient number of staff positions committed to civil and
criminal environmental enforcement programs. At present, there
are (approx.) 15 full-time equivalent environmental enforcement positions
statewide dedicated to issuing Notices of Violation, Administrative Orders,
or referring cases to Dept. of Justice for litigation/prosecution.
There are 7 full-time equivalent environmental warden positions statewide
to conduct complex civil/criminal investigations."
-
"It is not uncommon to have positions vacant for a year."
Poor Leadership (118 responses)
-
"Although the political pressure is, indeed, great, DNR management itself
is shooting staff down whether or not there is political pressure.
Retaliation is a major, major concern. Staff who do nothing are considered
good employees. Thus, after suffering the slings and arrows of management,
and since staff is cannon fodder, I am now the perfect employee because
I now do nothing --- no decisions, write few memos or letters, and I haven't
conducted an inspection in two years. DNR is morally bankrupt."
-
"The good news: more than half of DNRÕs supervisors and administrators
are competent! The bad news: too many are sub-competent."
Lack of Support from the Public (31 responses)
-
"In the public's mind DNR is blamed for many many things not within its
control or responsibility. The legislature controls budgets and writes
all the rules. It's easy for local legislators to "Blame it on the
DNR.""
-
"Wisconsin citizens still think the DNR is protecting their interests.
Citizens do not realize how political the DNR has become and that DNR policy
may not be protecting them or the state resources because of special interest
influence through the Governor's Office and the Legislative branch."
-
"A public educated by the news media is the same or worse than uneducated."
DNR Watch Table Of
Contents:
|
back to the Wisconsin
Stewardship Network home page