[BCNnet] The IL hunting and fishing dept

[Randi Doeker - Chicago]

This is from today's letters to the Tribune. 

Randi Doeker

Chicago

 

 

 

 

Maintaining state's natural areas 



This is in response to "Blagojevich's many cuts stir groups to take action"
(Sports, April 16), by columnist Lew Freedman. The Illinois Department of
Natural Resources would like to tell readers the real story.

 

As you know Illinois has been recovering from the worst financial crisis in
state history. Gov. Rod Blagojevich directed each state agency to conserve
resources, reduce administrative spending and redirect those dollars to
programs that serve its core mission.

 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources operates more efficiently as a
result of tightening our belts in order to provide and maintain service for
the millions of visitors who visited our parks and natural areas over the
last year. 

 

In terms of Freedman's charge that IDNR funds have been raided, I would
point out that fund sweeps have been used many times by previous
administrations over the past 20 years as a tool to address their own budget
challenges. Using surplus dollars that go unspent year after year in various
special-interest funds has helped the governor reduce the state's structural
deficit and fund our priorities without having to raise the sales or income
tax or cut vital services to our most vulnerable populations. These fund
sweeps do not take away one penny of a fund's appropriation for the fiscal
year.

 

That means no fund loses any dollars it would have otherwise spent, and no
fund is placed in jeopardy of not being able to pay for its priorities.

 

Over the last three years, we have realigned our priorities, placing more
resources into core programs like DNR Direct, the department's new automated
hunting and fishing license system. We have spent more than $29 million to
protect forested areas, preserve natural areas and develop local parks and
open space. 

 

After three years of tough choices, our situation at the IDNR continues to
improve and we are better positioned to make even more investments in
expanding services to those who rely on DNR. In the governor's proposed
fiscal year 2007 budget, the IDNR will put even more people back on the
front lines, doing important work for people who are passionate about
Illinois' outdoors. 

 

The governor's budget calls for the purchase of heavy dredging equipment and
a four-person crew to clean many state-owned lakes and streams. The budget
also includes more money to enhance many of the state's parks and natural
areas through projects like pavilion roof replacement to the replacement of
water and sewer systems on state park property. 

 

The governor is also recommending the expansion of public land for hunting
and fishing that will give hunters and fishers more access to harvest game
of their choice. 

 

While tough decisions have been made, our efficiency efforts continue as we
work with constituency groups throughout the state, providing financial and
physical support.

 

Sam Flood

Acting director

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Springfield

 

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