Restructuring at DNR aims for better job performance

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As the regulatory agency charged with enforcing state environmental standards, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources isn't always popular.

However, criticism of DNR stems less from its zealousness in ensuring compliance with clean air, soil and water laws than from its job performance. DNR detractors say the department is often too slow in granting needed permits, too difficult to get answers from and not always helpful in assisting communities and businesses in fixing problems.

DNR director Stephen Mahfood has heard all the complaints, and he agrees with them.

"How we do things really goes a long way to people respecting us or not in what we do," Mahfood said. "If we do things in a direct way and explain what we're doing, we always are much more successful."

For most of this year, the department has worked to change that, implementing a major restructuring of DNR and how it does business.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, has at times been critical of DNR, particularly for alleged foot-dragging on important economic development proposals like a power plant in Cape Girardeau County and cement plant in Ste. Genevieve County.

"There is generally too much discretion on the part of staff," Kinder said. "It makes you wonder who is running the department. I'd like to see a more firm hand on the tiller."

Tough questions

Mahfood, an 18-year DNR veteran, was first named director by Gov. Mel Carnahan in 1998. After reappointment to the post by Gov. Bob Holden this year, Mahfood faced tough questioning about DNR's performance during his Senate confirmation hearings.

"Senator Kinder made it very clear that he expected me to take some leadership and look at how the department is organized," Mahfood said. "One thing I've heard clearly is what we do in a positive way for the public and businesses, we don't do well enough."

State Rep. Pat Naeger, R-Perryville, said too often he is called in by constituents exasperated by dealings with the department. Once he's on the case, however, DNR tends to quicken the pace, Naeger said.

"Little permits seem to take forever that are seemingly straightforward and simple," Naeger said. "It shouldn't take a state representative or state senator getting involved in an issue. DNR should be customer-friendly."

Mahfood takes no umbrage at Naeger's view.

"I agree with him," Mahfood said. "We've got to be more responsive."

The department's structure was the culprit, Mahfood said.

Under DNR's old organizational structure, a city, business or individual with five questions related to a single endeavor but covering multiple regulatory areas might have to call five different people within the department. That is changing, Mahfood said, with the creation of an outreach and assistance center to which all questions can be directed.

Instead of multiple personnel answering questions independently, DNR will provide information in one package.

"What it means is, they'll have a single place to go, a single point of contact," Mahfood said. "Things will be faster. The answers they get will be more understandable."

Serious enforcement role

While striving to be more customer-oriented, DNR still takes its enforcement role seriously, Mahfood said.

While the changes are nearly implemented, they won't be official until the General Assembly approves the department's fiscal year 2003 budget in the spring.

Mahfood said the reorganization won't increase DNR's budget of $338 million, most of which is pass-through money doled out in the form of grants. None of the department's 2,000-plus employees will change locations, at least for the time being, though they may now be working in a different division than previously.

Kinder said he is taking a wait-and-see approach on the restructuring.

"I've got my fingers crossed," Kinder said. "Steve Mahfood is a good person and friend, and I hope he will be able to turn the department around. It begins with his acknowledgment that changes are needed."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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