MADISON, Wis (WSAU-Wheeler News) The state D-N-R unveils a major re-organization that consolidates most air-and-water pollution enforcement into one division — and moves hot-button issues to a new unit that supports businesses. The changes are designed to make the agency more responsive to all its users — from business-and-farm permit applicants to hunters and anglers. It comes amid an 18-percent decline in the D-N-R’s workforce over the past 20 years.
The new Business Support and External Services unit is planned as a “one-stop” center for business help. It will deal with major concerns like wetland protection, shoreland zoning, run-off, and dam safety. The unit also includes scientific research, which lost its own divison in the new state budget with 18 employees cut.
The combined air-and-water unit is designed to more closely align the agency with the federal E-P-A, which has said the state needs to work faster to update its air pollution rules.
