FOR RELEASE:  August 2, 2001

Department of Natural Resources (608-266-2121)
 

MADISON, Wis.  -- The Natural Resources Board this morning in special session, passed a resolution "strongly opposing the splitting of the state's important forestry program from the Department of Natural Resources" and called on Governor McCallum to "veto those provisions of the 2001-2003 Budget that authorize and direct removal of the forestry program from the Department of Natural Resources."

The resolution, which was signed by board chairman, Trygve Solberg, cites the fact that virtually every major conservation organization in Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, has strongly opposed the split.  The move also means that one of the major natural resource programs in the state will not be reporting to a citizen board for the first time since 1928, thereby reducing citizen involvement in forest management in Wisconsin.

"I think there's a growing sentiment that this should not be done," said Solberg.  "If folks feel that this is something that should not happen, I urge them to contact their legislators to express their sentiments on this issue."

Wisconsin's forestry program has been joined organizationally with the state's wildlife, fisheries, parks and conservation law enforcement programs since 1915, and with environmental management programs for air, water quality and waste since 1967.

"Forestry would go on after something like this," said board member Herb Behnke. "But the real hurt would come from a lack of coordination with all the other DNR functions so important to natural resources management."

"Forestry works hand-in-hand with the other functions in DNR to accomplish its mission and sustainably manage Wisconsin's 16 million acres of forestland," said Solberg. " Our forests have been carefully stewarded by private and public landowners with guidance from the Department of Natural Resources.  Splitting this important function from the larger department would cause great confusion and weaken natural resource management in Wisconsin."