Lawmakers want
DLNR scrutinized

The Legislature has approved resolutions calling for an audit of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has drawn concerns over staff vacancies and a chronic lack of funding.

The Senate and House passed without discussion differing audit requests on Friday. The Senate focuses on a financial and management audit of the Division of Conservation and Resource Management, the department's enforcement arm that serves all 10 divisions.

The measures are concurrent resolutions, which means each goes to the other chamber for consideration.

The House resolution seeks a review that "goes beyond an ordinary audit to one that addresses the long-term mission of the department and its ability to sustain the resources entrusted to them."

The Senate request says the funding of the conservation division is disproportionately shared among the divisions it serves.

It also says there are conflicting interpretations of enforcement responsibilities between the division and the county police departments on state property.

The Senate request makes no mention of the department's staffing problems.

"Years of budgetary restrictions and personnel reductions imposed by both the executive and legislative branches have significantly affected DLNR's ability to fulfill its responsibility," according to the House request.

"There is a growing concern that recent managerial vacancies and the large number of vacant operating positions and chronic lack of funding may accelerate an irreparable and irretrievable loss of public trust resources," it said.

Department Director Peter Young said Friday the Legislature's action was expected and that his department would fully cooperate.

The Legislature cut $4 million and 87 positions from the department's budget last year, Young said earlier.