Short-eared Owl, photo by Karen Viste-Sparkman/USFWS
On Dec. 27, Governor Evers announced that he appointed Adam Payne the new Secretary of the DNR.
Mr. Payne might be appropriately named because he has a lot of that awaiting him. The DNR always has contentious issues and he'll step into two of the most controversial: wolf management and water pollution, PFAS immediately and agriculture-related run off soon thereafter. Powerful legislators and lobbyists for some business and agricultural interests don't want much, if anything, done about the pollution. Wolves always evoke passion; I don't know if any management plan will achieve a consensus among the folks for whom the plan is important. Plenty of other tough issues will arise.
Adam Payne, new Secretary of the WDNR. Source: Sheboygan County
I think and hope the Senate will confirm him. He seems to have a superb record as the long time Administrator of Sheboygan County. He has supported or taken a leading role in preserving and improving some critical habitat, addressing complex water quality issues, and developing an excellent system of trails. Of particular interest to bird lovers is the key role he played in preserving the Amsterdam Dunes, 345 acres of critical and rare habitat on the shore of Lake Michigan. It borders an important DNR property and a raptor research station.
Prior to Sheboygan County, he directed the statewide association of land conservationists. In that capacity he dealt with many non-point policy issues and knew all the county folks who administer the local non-point programs.
Mr. Payne describes himself as an avid outdoors person and conservationist.
I don't know what his politics are but I doubt that he has been very overt in whatever they are. As the CEO of Sheboygan County, he'd want to maintain good relations with the legislators from that area, all of whom are Republican. Similarly, the statewide association always avoided partisanship. The point being, I don't think he is the type of partisan radical that the Senate Majority Leader has promised not to confirm.
With all the tough issues and politics awaiting him, you might join me in wondering why he would take the job? Maybe one reason is how much good the DNR can do. Like any big, bureaucratic organization, it has cumbersome procedures and a few knuckleheads. It's also filled with incredibly talented, energetic folks who want to preserve and protect our environment. They want to promote native species, healthy lands and waters, and our opportunities to enjoy those resources.
Best wishes to Mr. Payne. And as too many bloggers do, I'll offer some free advice. As he gets to know the DNR, he should spend some time with some of the biologists and technicians in the fish, wildlife, natural areas, water quality, and endangered species programs. Those experiences will remind him he was right to join the DNR.
Take care and enjoy the sudden thaw.
Topf Wells, Madison Audubon advocacy committee
