WHEREAS, the State of  Wisconsin is entrusted with the protection of public waters and other natural resources of the State, and

WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources is the primary agency of the State responsible for the administration of programs and regulations aimed at the protection of such resources for future generations, and

WHEREAS, the office of the Public Intervenor has a significant and important role in the protection of public rights in waters and other public interests in the natural resources of the state, and

WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is responsible for the administration of soil and water conservation programs affecting the water quality of Wisconsin lakes, and

WHEREAS, the Land and Water Conservation Board is responsible for oversight nad policy implementation affecting the Priority Lake and Priority Watershed Program aimed at the reduction of pollution to surface waters of the State, and

WHEREAS, the Executive Budget Bill (1995 Assembly Bill 150) proposes significant changes in the organization of State government agencies and oversight boards, which would reduce the role of citizens in the development and implementation of natural resources policy in Wisconsin, including policies aimed at protecting public waters from degradation and would create an environmental science council to perform functions which are currently performed by existing executive department agencies.

NOW THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED, by the Members of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, Inc., assembled at the Annual Meeting at the Wisconsin Lakes Convention in the City of Stevens Point, Wisconsin:

THAT the Association opposed legislation to eliminate the duties and responsibilities of the 7 member Natural Resources Board appointed by the Governor for staggered terms to seats representing the various geographical areas of the State.

THAT the Association opposed legislation to restructure the Natural Resources Board as an advisory body rather than a policy making oversight board with authority to appoint the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.

THAT the Association opposes legislation to change present law so as to provide for direct gubernatorial appointment of the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and opposes legislation to provide for the appointment of the District Directors of the Department of Natural Resources, outside of the State’s civil service system.

THAT the Association opposes legislation to restructure the Agriculture, Trade and conserjmer protection Board as an Advisory body rather than a policy making oversight board with authority to appoint the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

THAT the Association opposes legislation to repeal the statutory authority of the Public Intervenor program, or to reduce or eliminate the appropriations or authorized positions of the Department of Justice relating to the Public Intervenor Program.

THAT the Association opposes the establishment of a separate Environmental Science council in the Department of Administration to provide “objective scientific” evaluation of environmental programs, policies or rules.

THAT the Association opposes legislation to modify the duties and responsibilities of the 11 member Land and Water Conservation Board, which includes department secretaries, persons designated by the County Land conservation committees and representatives of agricultural and natural resources organizations.

CERTIFICATION

The Undersigned, Louis A. Meier, Jr, hereby certifies that he is the Secretary of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, Inc., and the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Members at the Annual Meeting of the said Association held at Stevens Point, Wisconsin on April 7, 1995.   [Signature appeared below.]

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