Madison, Wis. A new state agency devoted solely to forestry issues would splinter from the DNR under the budget bill compromise lawmakers are expected to vote on this week.

The change is designed to give forestry officials greater
freedom to manage forests in Wisconsin, said Rep. John Gard,
R-Peshtigo.

The proposed department is a compromise between the Senate
Democrats’ wish to keep the DNR unchanged and the Assembly
Republican plan to split the DNR in half to form a Fish, Wildlife,
Parks and Forestry Department and an Environmental Management
Department.