DNR Board Members Chafe At Reduced Authority Under Walker Budget

Several of Gov. Scott Walker’s appointees to the Department of Natural Resources Board are raising concerns about Walker’s plan to reduce the board’s authority to an advisory role.

At least three Walker appointees on the seven-member committee expressed their concerns during Wednesday’s DNR Board meeting. Greg Kazmierski said the board should keep its policy-approval duties, because the board is accessible.

“This offers the public an additional kick at the can. This is what it really is, with policy. The public respects that and that’s why this board is so important, I think, to the state of Wisconsin,” said Kazmierski.

The governor’s office says the DNR Board would continue to receive public input and advise the DNR secretary, who’s appointed by the governor. State lawmakers will take up the board’s role this spring, when they act on the governor’s budget proposal.