In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) is the state agency that is dedicated to the preservation, protection, effective management, and maintenance of Wisconsin’s natural resources. The DNR recogonizes valuable natural resources of Wisconsin state. It protectes and wisely manages natural resources. The Wisconsin Legislature created the DNR in 1967. In creating the DNR, the Legislature brought together closely related traditional conservation functions such as fish, parks, wildlife, and forest management and combined them with newly emerging environmental protection responsibilities such as water pollution control, solid waste management, and air pollution cleanup.
The DNR is the state agency charged with full responsibility for coordinating the many disciplines and programs necessary to provide a clean environment and a full range of outdoor recreational opportunities for Wisconsin citizens and visitors. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board sets policy for the Department of Natural Resources and exercises authority and responsibility in accordance with governing state statutes. Board Members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate.
Organizationally, the DNR is made up of six divisions which include:
- Air and Waste,
- Land, Forestry,
- Water,
- Customer and Employee Services, and
- Enforcement and Science
Additionally, the DNR prepares a report on whether the legislation is consistent with protecting and enhancing a public trust purpose. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 13.097, the DNR bases its conclusion on whether the opportunities for public trust purpose uses upon completion of the project, including opportunities for navigation, fishing, hunting, swimming, recreation and enjoyment of scenic beauty, substantially outweigh any loss of current opportunities for public trust purpose uses in that lake bed area and whether the current opportunities for public trust purpose uses will be enhanced or diminished upon completion of the project[i].
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
[i] Wis. Stat. § 13.097.
