Coalition forms to propose solutions to DNR's fish and wildlife funding shortfall

A coalition of groups and individuals has formed to propose remedies for the fish and wildlife funding shortfall at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Led by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the effort is intended to stimulate conversations among stakeholders about potential solutions to the DNR's funding woes and develop a plan to address them, said Cody Kamrowski, WWF executive director.

"The problem is pretty well-known," Kamrowski said. "But unless something changes, it will only get worse."

For about a decade, the DNR has reported shortfalls and warned of even greater problems in the future in its Fish and Wildlife Account.

The account is the primary funding source for the agency's fisheries, wildlife and law enforcement programs. It receives nearly all of its in-state funding from sales of fishing and hunting licenses and related stamps.

Work performed under the account includes habitat improvement projects, fish and wildlife population assessments, fish and pheasant propagation and stocking, and enforcement of fish and game laws by conservation wardens.

The DNR's Fish and Wildlife Account has $74.5 million in authorized expenditures for the current fiscal year.

In 2016, DNR administrators reported a $4 million shortfall in the fish and wildlife programs.

The impact on the ground was fewer wildlife biologists, fisheries biologists, lake surveys and habitat improvement projects, to name several important impacts identified by the agency.

Although in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the account is expected to be slightly in the black due to a $30 million, Legislature-approved transfer from the DNR's Forestry Account, it was only a temporary fix.

In 2026, the DNR expects to run a $15.5 million deficit in the Fish and Wildlife Account, according to agency figures.

Sales of hunting licenses have declined in Wisconsin and other states in recent decades. Fishing license sales have been relatively flat.

But costs to run programs and inflation generally keep increasing, said Eric Lobner, DNR wildlife director.

The price of most resident hunting and fishing licenses, including general fishing and deer hunting, have not changed since 2005.

Although more than a dozen Wisconsin conservation groups organized a push in 2017 to increase license fees, the Republican-controlled Legislature rejected it.

It's an election year but it's unclear what the composition of the Legislature will be in January or what its appetite will be for license-fee increases. It should also be noted modest license fee increases are not likely to fill the funding gap. The 2017 recommendations, for example, would have increased DNR revenue by about $5 million.

The WWF, the state's largest federation of hunting, fishing and wildlife groups, decided months ago at the urging of its wildlife committee chairman Mark Kakatsch to tackle the DNR's funding problem.

Kamrowsky and Kakatsch said they reached out to a diverse group of organizations and individuals to participate.

The coalition held its first meeting June 20 via Zoom; 16 people participated, including representatives of the WWF, Friends of the Horicon Marsh Visitor and Education Center, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Ruffed Grouse Society, Trout Unlimited, Wisconsin's Green Fire, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Wisconsin Trappers Association, Wisconsin Wetlands Association and Wisconsin Waterfowl Association.

Others were invited but didn't attend or will be asked to join future meetings.

The DNR's Lobner, Tim Gary and Paul Neumann joined the meeting for a portion to talk about the shortfall and its impacts.

The coalition members then discussed some of the funding sources used by other state natural resources agencies, including a portion of the state sales tax as in Missouri and Minnesota. Adding fees for "silent sport" participants such as canoeists and kayakers was also mentioned.

All such ideas would require legislation.

Kamrowski said recommendations to the Legislature and governor for solutions to the DNR's funding shortfall will best come from outside the DNR.

"We have to be the ones advocating," Kamrowski said.

The next coalition meeting will likely be held in the coming weeks, Kamrowski said.