Frederica Freyberg:

More Budget Watch coverage now, this related to Scott Walker’s proposal to strip decision-making authority from Wisconsin Citizen Boards, including the DNR and the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. Next week, we’ll have a report on high-profile boards being advisory only. Here’s a look at his reaction to that reaction as it affects the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board.

Mark Cupp:

This has stirred a lot of interest.

Zac Schultz:

Mark Cupp is Executive Director of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board.

Mark Cupp:

When the initial reports came out, I certainly was alarmed that perhaps there was something more politically-motivated in moving us from Tourism.

Zac Schultz:

Created in 1989, the Riverway is a nine-member citizen board that protects and preserves the natural scenic beauty along 90 miles of the Wisconsin river in Southwest Wisconsin. Under the Governor’s budget, they retain their rule-making authority, but their administrative services will be moved from the Department of Tourism to the Department of Natural Resources.

Mark Cupp

Where you look at what the support is that they are providing, it’s really in that administrative area of accounting and payroll. It has nothing to do with the oversight of the actual decision-making process.

Zac Schultz:

But the Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board has not been free from controversy. They are still involved in a lengthy court battle over a frac sand mine near the river and supporters wonder if they will maintain their independence once they are under the DNR’s umbrella.

Mark Cupp:

I’d like to question what this means in a subsequent biennial budget.