Joint Audit Committee Approves Fish and Wildlife Fee Audit

Updates on Funding for Conservation

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the Joint Audit Committee voted 5-4 (all Democrats opposing) to conduct an audit of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) fish and wildlife account.  Paul Heinen, Policy Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF), was at the hearing to get an early feel for what the Legislature may do in the new Legislative Session that will begin in January of 2025.

Joint Audit Committee in Madison Capitol on Aug 28, 2024

The fish and wildlife account is part of the State’s conservation fund, a segregated (SEG) fund administered by the DNR. Much of the revenue to the fish and wildlife account currently (and historically) comes from fees for hunting, fishing, and special licenses and stamps. Declines in hunting and fishing license sales and other budget issues are long-standing concerns with the fish and wildlife account.

The Legislative Audit Bureau reported that an audit could determine:

• how much of the current fees are used for activities that primarily benefit hunters and anglers;
• how much benefited multiple users and not just hunters and anglers;
• how much federal funding were used for activities benefitting hunters and anglers and multiple users;
• and how much DNR spends on administrative expenses.

WGF’s Role

“Wisconsin’s Green Fire is working with partners in conservation and silent sports on this funding issue and the re-authorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund for 2025”, said WGF’s Executive Director Meleesa Johnson.

Meleesa continued: “I hope that the facts the auditors present to the Legislators will convince them of the overwhelming need to increase investment in conservation programs.  The last increase was 20 years ago in 2005.  Our natural resources and our citizen users have suffered because of it.  We look forward to working with the new Legislature and Governor Evers to pass a responsible fee increase.”

Advancing science-based natural resources policies and adequate funding for conservation programs are important to Wisconsin’s Green Fire.