Your Opinions

Posted: Nov. 28, 2007

DNR

Board should have power to select chief

The Nov. 25 editorial was appropriate in its support for the state Assembly's bills that would return the authority to appoint the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources to the Natural Resources Board. Both bills have support from both parties, which makes this issue significant for the partisan politics it seeks to remove from the appointment of the state's top natural resources manager.

Natural resources management must not be subject to pressures of partisan politics, for the very reasons the editorial enumerated. Natural resources management requires scientific expertise, consistent leadership and forward-thinking policy insight.

And, it is important to note, returning the appointment to the board does not remove the public from the process. The Natural Resources Board is comprised of seven individuals from across the state who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The individuals responsible for the appointment of the secretary of the DNR have been and will continue to be selected by the public's elected representatives.

Restoring the authority of the board to appoint the secretary will strengthen the already strong natural resources management in Wisconsin.

Karen Schapiro
Executive director
Midwest Environmental Advocates
Milwaukee

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