Groups speak against making conservation, DNR one department

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Private groups that advocate for state parks, hunting and fishing and the environment urged a special state commission against recommending any merger or major restructuring of the separate Missouri government agencies responsible for those issues.

The advice came Friday during a full day of public testimony before the Government Review Commission, an independent panel created by Gov. Matt Blunt to lead the first comprehensive reorganization of state agencies in three decades.

Over the years, some lawmakers and individuals outside of government have suggested combining the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Conservation into one entity, or at least shifting the Division of State Parks from DNR to conservation.

Whitney Kerr of the Missouri State Parks Foundation, which works for the expansion and improvement of the parks system, said the two departments have different missions and merging them would detract from, rather than improve, the efficiency of the operations.

"We don't want to see anything that blinds the focus -- the laser-beam attention -- on our state parks, as well as conservation," Kerr said.

In addition to overseeing the parks system and state historic sites, DNR also enforces state environmental laws and regulations. The conservation department manages Missouri's fish, wildlife and forestry resources and operates nature centers around the state.

Roger Still, the executive director of Audubon Missouri, the state chapter of the National Audubon Society, said the departments function well separately.

"We agree the current structural relationship of the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Conservation does provide effective governance," Still said. "We are a national model."

Numerous other groups, including the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Missouri Parks Association, the Sierra Club and the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation, offered similar assessments.

DNR director Doyle Childers, who sat in on the hearings, said he was encouraged by the support his agency and the conservation department received. However, Childers acknowledged the desire to maintain the status quo expressed Friday doesn't necessarily reflect public opinion.

"Obviously, here in the center of government we are likely to hear from people who are familiar with our programs," he said.

Other views expected

When the review commission holds public hearings outside of the capital city this summer, Childers said he expects it will hear from Missourians who support restructuring the departments.

The review commission moved to the public testimony phase of its deliberations after receiving presentations from state department directors over the last several weeks. Two more public hearings are scheduled in Jefferson City, on April 29 and May 20. The commission will hit the road over the summer for hearings in Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, St. Joseph, Kansas City, Springfield and Kirksville.

The commission is to issue recommendations to the governor by March.

Gary Rust, the chairman of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, is a member of the commission.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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