Legislators Entertain the Idea of Splitting the Wisconsin DNR
Thursday, January 5th, 2017 -- 8:03 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Political pundits say the issue of splitting the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources into two separate divisions could be back on the drawing board.In an interview with reporters this week, Sen. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said members of his party 'are open' to discussing the idea, now that the new legislative session has begun. Back in the early 2000s, some lawmakers proposed replacing the agency with a Fish, Wildlife, Parks and Forestry Department and an Environmental Management Department.
Supporters at the time said dividing the DNR would allow each division to focus on its priorities rather than trying to accomplish those tasks with one major department. The current DNR was developed in 1967 after the legislature voted to merge the state's conservation and environmental protection agencies.
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