I detail here, using Wisconsin's open records law, how the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources argues that a 21-year-old federal statute controlling how water can be diverted from the Great Lakes doesn't necessarily apply to the agency.

To make matters worse, major media in Wisconsin will not disclose a lengthy Wisconsin Attorney General opinion that documents just how and why the law does apply to Wisconsin. 

Would it be too much to ask that the DNR do its regulatory job and work aggressively under Matt Frank, the newly-nominated secretary, to keep mass cattle fecal runoff out of Lake Michigan?

An earlier posting about this outrage in Manitowoc County is here.

Or is shoulder-shrugging by the agency in the face of obvious pollution now part of some new, secret DNR mission statement?

Should the entire burden of environmental protection in and around Manitowoc be borne by dedicated volunteer neighbors of these offending large animal operations?

Should sampling and improving Lake Michigan water quality along the lake's eastern shoreline be the responsibility of these activists?

Isn't that why we have a Department of Natural Resources?

I'd recommend that Matt Frank make splash in his new job with a road trip to Manitowoc, then a visit to the woodshed with his new staff, followed by an announcement of action.

And follow-up.