Shakeup on Indiana's Natural Resource Commission
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Four members of Indiana's Natural Resources Commission, a relatively obscure body that's supposed to provide leadership in the responsible management and use of the state's natural and cultural resources, have resigned in the last month.
Why it matters: They include the commission's former chair, who led the group for more than 20 years and says the state's Department of Natural Resources has started cutting out input from the commission and the public in important decisions about how to manage the state's wildlife, water and public lands.
State of play: Gov. Mike Braun appointed former state Rep. Alan Morrison to lead the DNR last year.
- Since then, Morrison has changed some processes in ways that the commission members who resigned say make decisions less transparent.
- For example, Morrison began posting preliminary rules (including a change to the state's bobcat quota) without first getting input from the commission — a change from previous practice.
What they're saying: "Since the appointment of Alan Morrison as director of DNR, it has become apparent that an agency that thrived on transparency and engaging the public to foster sound public policy has become a cabal in which citizen input has been stifled," former commission member Bart Herriman wrote in a resignation letter last month, as reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Between the lines: Former chair Bryan Poynter, former vice chair Jane Ann Stautz and 20-year member Phil French have also resigned in the last month.
- The 12-person commission has six citizen members, appointed by the governor and six members from state agencies and other interest groups.
- The four who resigned were citizen members, appointed by the previous administration.
The other side: The DNR told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that the rulemaking process remains transparent and open.
The latest: Former state Rep. Kevin Mahan, selected as the commission's new chairperson this week, said the group shouldn't pretend there hasn't been upheaval.
- "I just want this commission to be steady, professional and focused on the work," he said. "Our decisions do affect people and I think we need to remember that. It'll also affect communities, wildlife, public lands and water resources throughout Indiana. That work deserves care and openness, and it also deserves a commission that people can trust."