Hunting and fishing groups and volunteers who raise money for Wisconsin state park properties said Tuesday they are mounting efforts to stop Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed cuts to the Department of Natural Resources.
Wisconsin parks volunteers and hunting groups fight DNR cuts
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Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal for the Department of Natural Resources, including state parks, is coming under question from hunting and parks advocacy groups.
Wisconsin hunting, fishing and trapping groups say cutting state DNR researchers will weaken the state's defense against anti-hunting groups.
Wisconsin lawmakers cut conservation spending by $88 million. Walker wanted a moratorium on stewardship land buys.
Experts say it costs more to clean up problems in lakes and rivers than it does to use scientific methods of prevention.
Agency leaders told employees more changes are to come. Governor and lawmakers will allow no more 'glitter and rainbows.'
DNR veteran Jack Sullivan says severe pending budget cuts played a role the timing of his retirement.
The governor wants to cut 66 positions, force state parks to support themselves through fee increases and remove citizen control of DNR.
Private foresters hired by owners of tax-subsidized forest land would be the watchdog against destructive logging practices.
Stewardship land buys would be crushed as highway borrowing rises, but Assembly Republicans may salvage part of the program.
Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal would turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel to 'to strengthen leadership.'
