Most people can name Wisconsin’s Governor; many can name the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources; but most likely, very few could name a single member of the Natural Resource Board, who are selected by the Governor and control the policies of one of Wisconsin’s most influential state agencies. 

In 1967, the Conservation Department and the Department of Resource Development combined to become the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  During that time, the Legislature created the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board to provide guidance to the Department on various conservation and environmental issues.  While there were boards and commissions advising on related policies before then, the present-day Board now controls all such matters. 

The Board is made up of seven individuals who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to serve staggered, six year terms.  While members typically have some familiarity or background in natural resources matters, there are no specific requirements codified in state law, other than three members reside in the northern half of the state and three reside in the southern half of the state; one member serves at large.   

The Board meets about once a month each year to review, and potentially approve, recommendations brought forth by agency officials or the citizen-based Conservation Congress, which holds statewide meetings each year on a variety of environmental and natural resource topics.  The Board has the ability to form policies which have the effect of law, impacting businesses, farmers, developers, hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts of all types, and individual property owners.  Of course, none may be implemented without the approval of the Legislature, but this quasi-legislative body certainly has a great deal of power to advance the overall agenda of the DNR. 

The policies these seven, unelected individuals are entrusted to craft and promote affect the air we breathe, water we drink, and rules and regulations we must follow, as well as a whole host of interests including forestry, fisheries, wildlife management, agriculture, and industry, just to name a few.  They are the policy-making arm of a massive $1 billion state agency which employs nearly 3,000 people; yet, very few people know anything about them or their qualifications to serve in this capacity. 

To that end, I have introduced legislation to change the criteria for gubernatorial appointments to the Natural Resources Board.  The bill, Senate Bill 554, would require at least one member have an agricultural background, at least one have a business background, and at least one member have an environmental background.  In addition, at least four members must have held a hunting, fishing or trapping license in at least seven of the ten years prior to their nomination.  Lawmakers in the State Assembly are working on similar legislation, but none delineate the qualifications for all seven seats, rather, just a majority of the seats on the Board.

Wisconsin’s natural resource laws impact the state’s environment and economic stability, and touch nearly every person’s life in one way or another.  The Legislature created the Natural Resources Board, and it stands to reason – particularly at this moment in time – new standards be established for future Board members.  Wisconsin has numerous professional boards advising state agencies, and most require specific qualifications for each seat.  Thus, requiring one of the most influential boards to have set criteria would provide a level of certainty that each member of the Board has a vested interest and knowledge of the many conservation and environmental issues they must address.