I'd posted items earlier today about feedlot and manure producers winning big in the WI Department of Natural Resources 'realignment' announced Wednesday morning, as well Team Walker thumbing its collective polluting nose at federal clean water monitors , so let me post a third significant item from what DNR managers told staffers at an agency-wide meeting.
In a nutshell, there is another Wisconsin industry winner other than feedlot operators and big ag in the reorganization - - forestry - - from which Walker just inserted a key insider into a top-level DNR position - - which I recently noted based on a DNR news release:
WI DNR staffers were told today that there would be these added forestry industry priorities:
* a reduction in the review times for private forest management plans, applications, cutting plans and cutting reports.
* an increase in service to private land owners with a focus on woodland owners not engaged in sustainable forestry practices.
* Helping the feds who manage the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forests hit harvest goals and get more wood to the market to fuel the economy.
Bottom line:
This iteration DNR managers is reading from Scott Walker's 'chamber of commerce mentality' playbook by serving the Wisconsin's wooded, rural red counties which give Walker and the GOP its electoral base.
More later.
In a nutshell, there is another Wisconsin industry winner other than feedlot operators and big ag in the reorganization - - forestry - - from which Walker just inserted a key insider into a top-level DNR position - - which I recently noted based on a DNR news release:
Fred Souba Jr. has been appointed Chief State Forester by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The 40 year forest industry veteran will also serve as administrator for the DNR Division of Forestry...
Currently the owner and Senior Consultant of ProVision Forestry LLC... Souba has been the chair of the Wisconsin Council on Forestry (exit DNR) for seven years.
WI DNR staffers were told today that there would be these added forestry industry priorities:
* a reduction in the review times for private forest management plans, applications, cutting plans and cutting reports.
* an increase in service to private land owners with a focus on woodland owners not engaged in sustainable forestry practices.
* Helping the feds who manage the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forests hit harvest goals and get more wood to the market to fuel the economy.
Bottom line:
This iteration DNR managers is reading from Scott Walker's 'chamber of commerce mentality' playbook by serving the Wisconsin's wooded, rural red counties which give Walker and the GOP its electoral base.
More later.