| Conclusion |
It is unfortunate that the protection of Wisconsin's natural resources, which belong to everyone, is being characterized by some as a partisan battle. To dismiss as "partisan" the serious concerns of the DNR's own employees would be a disservice to those employees and to the citizens of Wisconsin who depend on them.
The fact that SB 27 passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate,
and that the Assembly bill also has Republican co-signers demonstrates
that the time is ripe for correcting the misguided 1995 effort at DNR reform.
Recommendations
1) Restore the Natural Resource Board Appointed DNR Secretary
These survey results highlight the need to reverse the politicization of the DNR, now that the DNR Secretary is under direct control of the Governor. Wisconsin legislators need to restore the Department to pre-1995 budget conditions, where the DNR Secretary answered to the 7 independent citizens appointed to serve on the Natural Resources Board --- to help insulate the Department from political influence and favoritism.
A proposed legislative bill, SB 27, which would restore the DNR Secretary,
passed the Senate last fall with an 18-to-15 bipartisan vote. The
Assembly version of this bill, introduced by legislators from both parties,
now sits in the Natural Resources Committee, chaired by State Representative
DuWayne Johnsrud, awaiting their
approval to bring it to the floor for a fair vote.
2) Restore the Public Intervenor Office
Before Gov. Thompson and Republicans in the legislature eliminated the Public Intervenor Office in 1995, the Intervenors were part of a carefully crafted check and balance system in Wisconsin designed to correct political pressures. The Intervenors must be restored to protect Wisconsin's natural resource base, tourism industry and quality of life.
A proposed legislative bill, SB 72, also passed the Senate in the 1999 session, and has broad political support in the Assembly. It also awaits committee approval.
3) Campaign Finance Reform
The political influence described in the survey by DNR employees points to a need for campaign finance reform to protect Wisconsin's natural resources. Wisconsinites who value a clean, healthful environment must demand an electoral system that pays more attention to public good than it does to private donations.
4) Investigate Potential Illegal Influence
The Attorney General or another impartial legal office needs to investigate potential cases of illegal influence over DNR decision-making. Hundreds of DNR employees said they were ordered to overlook violations of Wisconsin laws, or they feared retaliation if they enforced the law. This is an outrage.
A frightening 18% of the survey respondents (277 employees of the DNR) agreed or strongly agreed that "I know of a situation in which a DNR superior has retaliated against a staffer for doing his or her job "too well" on a controversial project."
In addition, 15% (230 employees) agreed or strongly agreed that "I fear job-related retaliation for openly advocating enforcement of environmental regulations."
Furthermore, 8% (123 employees) agreed or strongly agreed that "I have been directed by a superior to overlook environmental violations."
These numbers point to serious systematic and widespread problems with
enforcement in the DNR. We don't need to see a majority response
in these numbers for Wisconsin citizens to be concerned.
We, the following citizen organizations, are extremely concerned about
political influence over DNR decision-making, as highlighted in the recent
PEER survey. We strongly urge the Wisconsin Legislature to pass SB
27, to restore DNR Secretary appointment authority to the Natural Resources
Board, and SB 72, to restore the Wisconsin Public Intervenors Office.
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Natural Resource Accountability Project
Citizens for a Better Environment
Clean Water Action Council
ECCOLA (Environmentally Concerned Citizens of the Lakeland Area)
Northern Thunder
Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter
Twin City Rod & Gun Club
Wisconsin's Environmental Decade