It must be discouraging working at the DNR these days

[lutefisk]

Highly offensive Cathy Stepp is trying to remake the DNR into a protection syndicate for polluters. She is putting the agency at odds with the EPA, state and federal regulations, and the people of the State of Wisconsin. It's just insane what this administration is doing to this state! Clean air, safe drinking water, healthy lakes and forests- screw that, those are just resources to be chewed up and spit out for short term profit.

This article contains some quotes from long time DNR people. I can't imagine how they feel about what they are being asked to do to the land they have protected for so many years...

Environmental enforcement activity by the state Department of Natural Resources has dropped dramatically in the past two years, according to data from the agency, with the number of permit violation notices hitting a 12-year low in 2011.

DNR officials say the decrease is partly caused by an enforcement staff that's been hit hard by budget cuts. But they also point to a philosophical shift that emphasizes cooperating with businesses by helping them navigate complex state and federal regulations and steering them into compliance when they violate their permits.

"I don't apologize for that," said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp of her emphasis on customer service and a less-confrontational agency. "When we do our jobs right at the Wisconsin DNR and when we are no longer viewed as somebody to be afraid of and instead as a partner in understanding what the expectations are ... we also see environmental enhancement and job creation as a result. (Businesses) know they have somebody they can come to and help them comply."


http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/shift-in-philosophy-dnr-writing-fewer-tickets/article_dbfe52f6-91f8-11e1-9e2b-001a4bcf887a.html

[tech3149]

1. I can't fault Ms. Stepp for the position she and her staff have to deal with.

I used to service EPA offices back in the 80's and their funds were drastically less than needed then.
In the 90's I had to listen to some radio talk show host constantly referring to the EPA as nazis. I'm sure most of you have heard the same or similar more than once. For Christs sakes, all they are trying to do is defend our ability to live without injury from those that see no farther than how much they profit today.