The
deal struck by members of the conference committee to separate forestry
from the Department of Natural Resources is a blow for the environment
and a blow for democracy.
Despite
overwhelming citizen opposition to splitting the DNR, and no indication
to the public that this anti-environmental provision would be included
in the budget, the legislature has gone ahead and submitted to the will
of the moneyed special interests. This policy speaks volumes about who
is controlling Wisconsin's so-called "democratic" process. Closed-door
deal making is an inappropriate way to make public policy, particularly
policy that is such a profound departure from existing practices.
Removing
forest management from the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural
Resources could be devastating for our state forests. Forests are
intricately linked to all other types of resource management -
endangered species, water quality, habitat preservation. Science is
increasingly telling us to think about environmental protection in
terms of ecosystems rather than as separate issues. The decision to
create a separate forestry department ignores the science.
Creating
a separate forestry department will also be confusing and difficult to
administer. We already see the difficulties that arise when more than
one department is involved in administering a program. The proposed
rules to curb runoff in Wisconsin are a great example. DNR and DATCP
are struggling to come to agreement on what will be included in those
rules. Knowing how difficult the process has been so far, one can only
imagine how difficult the actual implementation will be.
This
preposterous proposal must be removed from the budget. For the sake of
our environment and the sake of our democracy, Governor McCallum needs
to veto the forestry department provision of the budget.
