Democratic lawmakers will hold a meeting this week at the Capitol, on concerns surrounding the state Department of Natural Resources. State Representative Brett Hulsey is hoping they’ll get some answers regarding the DNR’s failure to refer a waste spreading violation in Jefferson County to the Department of Justice. The spreading of human waste in 2009 may have polluted adjacent wells. “We’ve asked DNR and (agency secretary) Cathy Stepp to attend,” said Hulsey. “We hope they will and explain what they’re doing to protect the property values and safety of these families.”
The Madison Democrat claims the Jefferson County case is just one example of how a politicized DNR is failing the public. “They’re just turning a blind eye to pollution,” said Hulsey. The company which was investigated by DNR, Herr Environmental, was given minimal fines after politically appointed officials with the agency intervened on Herr’s behalf. Herr allegedly spread the waste at more than three times the legally allowed levels.
