Gov. Scott Walker’s budget would make far-reaching changes to the Department of Natural Resources by giving him more direct control over environmental regulations, cutting 66 agency positions and halting purchases of land for conservation until 2028.
ENVIRONMENT
Scott Walker would tighten control over DNR, cut science, halt conservation purchases
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Gov. Scott Walker is proposing to make the Natural Resources Board an advisory panel, a move environmentalists say could weaken pollution controls in Wisconsin. The governor recently came out against proposed EPA restrictions on carbon-based pollution like that produced by coal-fired power plants, such as the Columbia power plant near Portage.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Ron Lichtie checks the age of a buck taken by Aaron Gagner of La Crosse, right, in 2012 at a deer registration station in West Salem.
State lawmakers were hearing details about proposed cuts to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources budget. Above, wildlife biologist Ron Lichtie checks the age of a buck at a deer registration station in West Salem.
Gov. Scott Walker enters the Wisconsin Assembly chambers as he prepares to deliver his state budget address. He proposes making sweeping changes to the state Department of Natural Resources.
Wisconsin’s switch to electronic registration for the 2015 deer hunt may further thin data it gathers on chronic wasting disease. In this 2012 file photo, a DNR biologist checks the age of a buck at an in-person deer registration station in West Salem.
The governor wants to cut 66 positions, force state parks to support themselves through fee increases and remove citizen control of DNR.
The two-year spending plan is more than $68 billion.
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.
Facing a massive backlash, Gov. Scott Walker retreated Wednesday from a proposal to wipe out the language at the foundation of the Wisconsin Idea.
Wisconsin lawmakers cut conservation spending by $88 million. Walker wanted a moratorium on stewardship land buys.
The governor wants to cut 66 positions, force state parks to support themselves through fee increases and remove citizen control of DNR.
Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget would eliminate 66 DNR positions, freeze conservation land purchases and withdraw tax support to state parks.
The controversial project is closing its northern Wisconsin offices. Last year, officials expressed surprise at how many wetlands the land held.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources let the rules lapse in March because they weren't adequately preventing pollution.
The state plans to fix its rules on fine particles from smokestacks, but critics say DNR priorities neglect public health.
But the state DNR says some work continues, so areas around roads and work sites will remain closed to the public.
