Legislation that would restore the authority of the Wisconsin Natural Resource Board (NRB) to appoint the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently moved closer to being enacted. ?Concurrent bills, Senate Bill 113 passed the Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry and Natural Resources by a vote of 5 to 2 and Assembly Bill 138 passed the Committee on Natural Resources by a vote of 10 to 4. They both would authorize the seven-member NRB to appoint the Secretary of the DNR to a four year term. The bills are now ready for consideration by the full Assembly and Senate, according to the Wildlife Management Institute.

As reported in the March ONB issue, re-instating an independent DNR Secretary has been a priority of Wisconsin conservation organizations since 1995, when the Secretary of DNR was made a cabinet position appointed by the governor. Prior to 1995, the NRB had appointed DNR secretaries for nearly seven decades.

While the legislation enjoys strong support among Wisconsin's conservation community, who believe that a NRB-appointed Secretary would be less likely to be influenced by politics in the management and protection of the state's natural resources, there are powerful groups opposed to passage of the bill. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation oppose the legislation. They argue that a DNR Secretary appointed by the governor can be held more accountable.

Governor James Doyle, who previously supported having a NRB-appointed Secretary, reversed his stance on the issue last spring. It is not clear, at this point, whether Governor Doyle would veto the legislation if it passes, but with the actions taken by the Assembly and Senate committees, he is a step closer to having to make that decision. The legislature is expected to take action on this issue later this fall. (pmr)