DNR Board Member Asked to Reconsider His Refusal to Step Down

Thursday, September 29th, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) A member of the Natural Resources Board called on former chair Fred Prehn to reconsider his refusal to step down from the policy-making body for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

According to Danielle Kaeding of the Wisconsin Public Radio, the request follows a report Tuesday by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about texts that show Prehn decided to remain on the board to preserve its conservative majority.

Prehn was appointed to the board by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2015. His six-year term expired in May of last year. Even so, the Wausau dentist and businessman has refused calls to resign and make way for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' appointee Sandy Naas.

Board member and Evers' appointee Marcy West said Prehn’s decision has had a ripple effect on the board. "I sure hope you will reconsider and recognize the impact that this has on all of us. There have only been 60 people that have had the opportunity to serve on this board, and you are blocking a very qualified candidate," said West.

"The politics that have been brought into this, again, it's just alarming. And it's hard to deal with every aspect of this board because of it." Prehn was prepared to respond. However, board member Terry Hilgenberg interjected, saying the issue shouldn’t be discussed because it wasn’t board business.

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