Tony Evers puts his stamp on the Natural Resources Board with 3 new appointees
Laura SchulteMADISON - Gov. Tony Evers appointed three new members to the Natural Resources Board Friday, after the terms of the final appointees of former Gov. Scott Walker's expired at the end of April.
Evers reappointed Paul Buhr, who was selected to fill a vacancy on the board in January, and appointed Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings and Jim VandenBrook.
“From working to protect wildlife to making necessary progress on getting harmful contaminants like PFAS out of our water once and for all, the work of the Natural Resources Board is essential to the health and prosperity of our state,” said Evers in a Friday press release. “We are thrilled to have each of these well-qualified, motivated individuals on the board and for the expertise and perspectives they will bring to this critically important work.”
Here are the new appointees:
Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings, citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Jennings is a citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a doctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, according to the release. He is the associate director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College, where he oversees the institute and the Hulings Rice Food Center.
He served two terms as an elected tribal council member for the Bad River Tribe and previously served as the director of public information for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. He holds a master's degree from the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to work on behalf of all Wisconsinites on the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board,” Jennings said in the release. “I look forward to working to protect our environment for future generations to come.”
Jim VandenBrook, a longtime conservationist
VandenBrook served the executive director of the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association from 2012 through 2018, and served as the water quality section chief for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from 1986 to 2012. Prior to his role with DATCP, he served as a county conservationist in Vernon and Trempleau counties.
“As a life-long resident of Wisconsin I believe that our economy and quality of life are completely dependent on the wise use and management of our land and waters," VanderBrook. "I hope that my 40 years of experience in land and water resource management will help advance the governor’s work to make Wisconsin a better place to live, work, and enjoy.”
More:New DNR Secretary calls on Legislature to 'step up' in protecting the state's waters
Paul Buhr, dairy farmer
Buhr is a dairy farmer from Viroqua and has worked with dairy cattle since he was a child, graduated with an animal science degree from UW - Platteville and then owned his own farm for 45 years. The last of his herd was dispersed about two years ago, and he now tends fields of corn, soy beans and hay.Shortly after his appointment, he said he was hoping to translate his experience as a farmer into informed decisions on issues like managing nutrients stemming from farms that can get into drinking water and cause issues for residents, such as phosphorous and nitrates. He also helps to raise awareness of the Driftless Area, and to champion preservation of the unique area.
The Natural Resources Board sets policy for the Department of Natural Resources, and is made up of seven members. Board members are nominated by the governor for six-year terms, staggered to prevent boards from being completely appointed within one governor's term. Under the law, three members are appointed from the northern part of the state, three from the south and one member is "at large." At least one board member must have an agricultural background and at least three members must have held a hunting, fishing or trapping license in at least seven of the 10 years before nomination.
Members are confirmed by the state Senate, which reserves the right to reject appointments by the governor. But to take a seat on the board, appointees don't need to be confirmed, as long as the member they're replacing vacates the seat.
More:Scott Walker appointee Frederick Prehn resigns from Natural Resources Board after over-staying term
Appointments end period of Walker-era drama
Evers' appointments mark the exit of the final two Walker appointees, Greg Kazmierski and Terry Hilgenberg.
Though board meetings this year have proceeded with relatively few clashes, the last several years have been marred by controversy. In 2021, when Frederick Prehn's term expired, the Wausau dentist refused to step down from his seat, creating months of infighting between the Walker and Evers appointees. Though Prehn's decision was upheld by the state Supreme Court, other members of the board and members of the public decried Prehn's decision and pushed for his exit.
The state Senate contributed to the conflict by refusing to hold a confirmation vote for the new appointee.
Prehn held the seat for nearly two years past its expiration date, only to quietly step down at the end of December, with no explanation. At that point, Sandra Dee Naas, who Evers had selected for Prehn's spot, was able to take her seat.
But even with a full board of Evers appointees, issues remain. The Republican-led Senate has not scheduled confirmation hearings for Buhr, Naas or Sharon Adams, who was appointed in 2021. In January, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu cast doubt on Evers' appointees to the board, saying that they seemed "political" and "maybe don't have the background" to be on the board.
Board Chair Bill Smith was confirmed after his appointment in 2019, and Vice-Chair Marcy West was confirmed shortly after her appointment in 2020.
LeMahieu's office did not immediately respond Friday afternoon to questions seeking more information about when the appointees would get confirmation hearings.
A spokesperson for Evers could not immediately be reached for comment.
Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.