News
Wisconsin DNR Secretary Stepp
Cathy Stepp serves as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. First appointed to the DNR Board by then-Governor Tommy Thompson in 1998. That experience prompted her to run for and get elected to the State Senate. She served one term from 2002 to 2006 then chose to return home to her family’s trucking business. In 2011 she answered Governor Scott Walker’s call to be DNR Secretary.
The Secretary says she wants to show how people can produce jobs and still protect the environment in Wisconsin. “Farmers understand this, they know if they take good care of their land and they are responsible stewards and they protect waterways they are going to do better with their crops and with their livestock.” Stepp says DNR needs to do a better job of communicating with and listening to farmers and other businesses.
There have been a number of concerns about what some see as overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency. Stepp is concerned about some “rumblings” of what may be in the works and sees DNR’s job to “stand with Wisconsin citizens and folks who are producing or playing in Wisconsin and to help communicate the message to the federal government.”
Secretary Stepp also sees a lot of room for improvement when it comes to regulations regarding agricultural runoff and nutrient management plans “especially with the process.” She says when members of the Ag Committee showed her a couple of nutrient management plans she was shocked at the size of the plan and the expense involved in creating one. She says the DNR really needs to take a close look at what is needed and what isn’t in this process.
There are those in the State Legislature who have called for the DNR to be split into two agencies, one for environmental regulations and one for wildlife management, Secretary Stepp says while she believes the agency can be run better, it should continue as one.
AUDIO: Secretary Stepp talks about her agency 11:52 mp3
Visit the DNR website here:
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One of these days the state of Wisconsin has to do something about the native american indians.Now they are paying their tribal members money to see who can spear the most and biggest muskeys. Our state fishing rules should apply to everyone who lives in Wisconsin. Could you please try and solve this problem . A few suggestiions, turn this dilemma over to the university of Wisconsin and Marquette law school and reward them with a free education if they could find a solution. Also, maybe we should start building casinos and give the gamblers a fair shake. You know they know how to hit us where it hurts, lets do the same to them. Sincerely, Terry Freund, Headwaters Restaurant and Tavern. Boulder Junction wi. 715-385-2601. Feel free to call me. Terry
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I AM OUTRAGED AT THE SITUATION THAT OCCURED AT THE SOCIETY OF ST. FRANCIS IN KENOSHA WI.
HOW YOU PEOPLE HANDLED THE SITUATION WAS HORRIFIC REGARDING THAT POOR, INNOCENT BABY FAWN.
I AM SICKENED BY THIS, I AM AN ILLINOIS RESIDENT, MARRIED TO A FAMILY FROM WISC. AND WE ALL SUPPORTED SCOTT WALKER.
I CONTACTED ST. FRANCIS AND WAS TOLD YOU KILLED THIS POOR ANIMAL.
HOW DARE YOU, STEPP.
I AM CONTACTING SCOTT WALKER TOMORROW MORNING WITH MY INPUT, AS WELL AS
MANY OTHERS REGARDING THIS TRAGIC, SENSELESS AND CRUEL ACT.
Dear Cathy, I’m really happy with the way you are conducting DNR business in Wisconsin. I am encouraged & see you take charge & provide remedies. My issue is the Reserve America campground reservation system. It has been stated one can make a State Park reservation 11 months in advance. Peninsula & Devil’s Lake are among the most popular & difficult to get an electric site. I have tried to make a reservation at Peninsula State Park for June 2013. All sites are blocked from reservations. I called & was told reservations are closed for renovations Oct – Nov 2012. What is NOT known is when Reserve America will have the site open for reservations. None of this has been communicated on the Reserve America website. It was horrendous for campers when the firewood rules were being implemented w/ NO ADVANCE NOTIFICATION to campers when out of area wood was confiscated at the campgrounds. All I ask for is COMMUNICATION!! Please have Reserve America notify campers on their website WHY a campground is not open to reservations & WHEN it will be available PLEASE??? Sincerely, Mary Bleier, a lover of Wisconsin State Parks.