MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A group of former Department of Natural Resources secretaries are urging Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and legislators to reject a proposal to divide the agency and spread its responsibilities across state government.
Republican Rep. Adam Jarchow has proposed splitting the DNR into a new Department of Fish and Wildlife and a new Department of Environmental Protection. Three existing agencies would assume forestry, park and land acquisition duties.
The former secretaries sent a letter Tuesday to Walker and legislators warning the move would confuse the public, create a coordination nightmare and a number of new supervisors that would need compensation, force environmental groups and outdoor clubs to deal with five agencies rather than one.
Jarchow and Walker’s offices didn’t immediately return messages.
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