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."