Legislation to end political control of Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources appears to be on the fast track.

For almost 70 years, the head of Wisconsin's conservation agency was appointed by a citizen board. That was changed in the 1995 budget bill. The governor appoints (with Senate consent) the seven-member board.

Two bills -- Senate Bill 113 and Assembly Bill 138 -- would restore appointment authority to the Natural Resources Board. Both bills boast bi-partisan support -- 51 Assembly members and 17 senators. Southwest Wisconsin lawmakers Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, and Reps. Lee Nerison, R-Westby, Phil Garthwaite, D-Dickeyville, and Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, are all co-sponsors.

"This is a better route to accountability," said Schultz, whose 17th Senate District includes all of Grant and Iowa counties and most of Lafayette County. "This makes the DNR less susceptible to political influence. The appointment would be made by the board, the person would be accountable to the board rather than looked at as a political gift. Go to any sporting group, they'll tell of their frustration. They want to take the politics out of the DNR."

In testimony at a recent Senate Committee on Tourism, Transportation, Forestry and Natural Resources hearing, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton voiced her support for the legislation. Lawton said that politicization doesn't just give the governor power to name the agency secretary, but also the deputy and an executive assistant and all six division administrators. She added that in today's era of global climate change, Wisconsin needs an independent DNR to provide expertise on ways the state can improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and adapt to change.

Schultz thinks the legislation will pass both houses "fairly substantially." He added Gov. Jim Doyle has already said he would veto it, reversing a previous position.

"I think we have enough votes to override his veto," Schultz said. "And if it passes with a big majority, my guess is he will sign it."

Former DNR Secretary George Meyer, who left in February 2001 after a stormy tenure, made a well-documented appeal at his departure news conference for a return to the past.

"To maintain public confidence in our natural resources programs, and to maintain the morale and the reputation of the department's resource professionals, there must be a return to a board-appointed secretary system," Meyer said.