Legislature, DNR tangle over power

Agency's decisions often challenged

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

...In their dust-ups with the Legislature, DNR officials often point to the state's Public Trust Doctrine, which says that lakes and rivers are public resources - owned by all - and are held in trust by the DNR.

...Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn), chairman of the Senate's environment committee, has a reputation of being able to work with the DNR. He sees the agency becoming more responsive, but the job isn't done.

"I think there is a culture in the DNR that needs be more acclimated to treating citizens as customers," Kedzie said.