NRB Wants Policy Making Authority Retained
Sunday, March 1st, 2015 -- 8:12 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -The Conservation Congress is calling on conservationists, outdoor recreationalists and sporting groups of all kinds to contact their state legislators and request that the state's independent Natural Resources Board be allowed to retain their policy making authority.Governor Scott Walker's recently proposed state budget would strip the panel of its authority to make conservation policy for the Department of Natural Resources. In a recent letter addressed to Gov. Walker and state Legislators, WCC Chairman Rob Bohmann said the proposed change would take the policy-making authority from the public arena to the political arena.
The budget item eliminates the NRB's policy-making authority and makes the board advisory to the DNR secretary. Under the proposed changes in this budget, the WCC would become advisory to the DNR secretary as well. A similar provision would also strip authority from the Department of Agriculture board.
Currently, natural resource policy decisions are made at public meetings which citizens are welcome to attend, participate in, or view online. The NRB utilizes research and recommendations from agency experts, as well as input from the Conservation Congress, sporting groups, and citizens to help shape the decisions they make.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.