Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 15.34 (2026)
Department of natural resources; creation
✓ current as of July 2026
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15.34(1)(1) There is created a department of natural resources under the direction and supervision of the natural resources board.
15.34(2)(a)(a) The natural resources board shall consist of 7 members appointed for staggered 6-year terms.
15.34(2)(b)(b) At least 3 members of the natural resources board shall be from the territory north, and at least 3 members of the board shall be from the territory south, of a line running east and west through the south limits of the city of Stevens Point.
15.34(2)(bg)(bg) At least one member of the natural resources board shall have an agricultural background. The governor may request statewide agricultural organizations to submit recommendations for nominees under this paragraph. The requirements of this paragraph apply to individuals who are members of the natural resources board on May 1, 2017, and thereafter.
15.34(2)(br)1.1. At least 3 members of the natural resources board shall be individuals who held an annual hunting, fishing, or trapping license, in this state or another state, in at least 7 of the 10 years previous to the year in which the individual is nominated, except as provided in subd. 2. The governor may request statewide organizations that are primarily interested in supporting hunting, fishing, or trapping to submit recommendations for nominees under this paragraph. The requirements of this paragraph apply to individuals who are members of the natural resources board on May 1, 2017, and thereafter.
15.34(2)(br)2.2. If an individual served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces or national guard during the 10 years previous to the year in which the individual is nominated, the number of years in which the individual is required to have held an annual hunting, fishing, or trapping license equals 7 minus the number of years of active duty served during those 10 years.
15.34(2)(c)(c) No person may be appointed to the natural resources board, or remain a member of the board, who receives, or has during the previous 2 years received, a significant portion of his or her income directly or indirectly from holders of or applicants for permits issued by the department under ch. 283, except that this paragraph does not apply to permits issued under s. 283.33.
15.34(2)(d)(d) The majority of members of the natural resources board may not derive a significant portion of their incomes from persons who are subject to permits or enforcement orders under ch. 285. Each board member shall inform the governor of any significant change in the income that he or she derives from persons who are subject to permits or enforcement orders under ch. 285.
15.34(2)(e)(e) The restrictions in pars. (c) and (d) do not apply with respect to permits or licenses held or applied for by agencies, departments, or subdivisions of this state.
15.34 AnnotationBecause the Department of Natural Resources operates under the supervision of a board under sub. (1), and because declaratory judgments can be brought against the officer or agency charged with administering a statute, the board is a proper party to a declaratory judgment challenging some of the department’s policies as invalid and unenforceable rules. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Inc. v. DNR, 2024 WI App 18, 411 Wis. 2d 462, 5 N.W.3d 903, 22-0718.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8
cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: Joshua L. Kaul v. Frederick Prehn, 2022 WI 50 (Wis. 2022).
Joshua L. Kaul v. Frederick Prehn, 2022 WI 50 (Wis. 2022). “" Wis. Stat. § 15.34 (1). Wisconsin Stat § 15.”
Wisconsin Citizens Concerned for Cranes & Doves v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2004 WI 40 (Wis. 2004). “3 Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 15.34 , the Natural Resources Board supervises and directs the DNR.”
Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians v. State of Wisconsin, 653 F. Supp. 1420 (W.D. Wis. 1987). “The Natural Resources Board is the public body charged with the direction and supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, an executive agency created by Wis.Stat. § 15.34. Carroll D. Besadny is the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.”
Tony Evers v. Howard Marklein, 2024 WI 31 (Wis. 2024). “" Wis. Stat. § 15.34 (1). 7 The review process applies to certain expenditures under $250,000, but a full recitation of its reach is unnecessary because the petitioners facially challenge the legislature's ability to reject the disbursement of appropriated funds.”
Peterson v. Nat. Resources Bd., 288 N.W.2d 845 (Wis. 1980). “09 Conservation act. (1) Purposes. The purpose of this section is to provide an adequate and flexible system for the protection, development and use of forests, fish and game, lakes, streams, plant life, flowers and other outdoor resources in this state.”
Tony Evers v. Howard Marklein, 2024 WI 31 (Wis. 2024). “" Wis. Stat. § 15.34 (1). 7 The review process applies to certain expenditures under $250,000, but a full recitation of its reach is unnecessary because the petitioners facially challenge the legislature's ability to reject the disbursement of appropriated funds.”
Great Lakes Wildlife All. v. Wisconsin Nat. Resources Bd. (Wis. Ct. App. 2026). “§ 15.34(1). 2 No. 2024AP1220 BACKGROUND ¶3 The facts in the discussion that follows, which we accept as true for purposes of our review, are derived from Great Lakes’ petition for judicial review unless otherwise noted.”
Wisconsin Mfrs. & Com., Inc. v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2024 WI App 18 (Wis. Ct. App. 2024). “” We conclude the circuit court did not err in denying the DNR’s request to dismiss the Board. As previously set forth above, the DNR enacted policies that are invalid and unenforceable rules.”
— Wis. Stat. § 15.34(1) — 3 cases
Joshua L. Kaul v. Frederick Prehn, 2022 WI 50 (Wis. 2022). “" Wis. Stat. § 15.34 (1). Wisconsin Stat § 15.”
Wisconsin Mfrs. & Com., Inc. v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2024 WI App 18 (Wis. Ct. App. 2024). “” We conclude the circuit court did not err in denying the DNR’s request to dismiss the Board. As previously set forth above, the DNR enacted policies that are invalid and unenforceable rules.”
Great Lakes Wildlife All. v. Wisconsin Nat. Resources Bd. (Wis. Ct. App. 2026). “§ 15.34(1). 2 No. 2024AP1220 BACKGROUND ¶3 The facts in the discussion that follows, which we accept as true for purposes of our review, are derived from Great Lakes’ petition for judicial review unless otherwise noted.”
— Wis. Stat. § 15.34(2)(a) — 2 cases
Joshua L. Kaul v. Frederick Prehn, 2022 WI 50 (Wis. 2022). “" Wis. Stat. § 15.34 (1). Wisconsin Stat § 15.”
Great Lakes Wildlife All. v. Wisconsin Nat. Resources Bd. (Wis. Ct. App. 2026). “§ 15.34(1). 2 No. 2024AP1220 BACKGROUND ¶3 The facts in the discussion that follows, which we accept as true for purposes of our review, are derived from Great Lakes’ petition for judicial review unless otherwise noted.”
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