DNR commissioner deserves to stay, but there's room to improve

DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam said last week he wants to stay where the buck stops (assuming he is reappointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty).

This news most likely was well-received among the DNR's many constituents, hunters to hikers, foresters to fisherfolks ... and environmentalists all in their own way.

In recent years, the DNR's ship has not only run a steady course but has also gained ground in many key DNR responsibilities:

• Increased wildlife land acquisitions, aggressive walleye management initiatives and innovative deer seasons designed to expand hunting opportunity and reduce deer concentrations.

• Minnesota's state parks continue to be jewels despite budget issues.

• State forests always attract management controversies pitting wildlife interests against timber demands and so forth. DNR foresters and DNR wildlife managers seldom see a forest through the same trees, but Merriam at least has them communicating.

As a man of few words, Merriam will never be accused of being the life of the party. That job goes to his deputy commissioner, Mark Holsten, who often is the front man for hot topics and heated public meetings.

Yes, the DNR's important missions seems to be rolling in a good direction. While nobody knows how much credit should go to Merriam and Holsten, if the DNR's reputation was Doing Nothing with Resources, you can be sure Merriam and Holsten would get the blame.

So, what's ahead for the DNR for the next four years?

A few ideas:

• Minnesota was going to clean up the Minnesota River. Are we still trying?

• If Lake Pepin in the Mississippi River is really dying (and there's proof), the problem may not be DNR's to solve by itself, but DNR needs to scream the loudest. The DNR has clout with the public and needs to use it more.

• Can't we have one (just one) trout stream in southeast Minnesota that is heavily stocked with catchable hatchery-raised trout for anglers who can't fling a flyrod or fool a brown trout?

Does the DNR need a Culture Commissioner? There are a couple of elephants in DNR headquarters that nobody wants to talk about.

Must more be done to acclimate members of the Hmong community to the American tradition and methods of hunting and fishing? While fish poachers come in all shapes and colors in Minnesota , there have been flagrant cases involving Hmong anglers in recent years that suggest a cultural misunderstanding about the reasons Minnesota anglers must abide by daily and possession limits.

Does Minnesota need an Indian Relations Commissioner? Clearly, there is room for more understanding and cooperation between DNR and Minnesota Indian bands. The timing is right for two good reasons:

• The fishing future of Red Lake -- commercial netting vs. sport angling -- is up in the air. What decision is made will impact the whole lake.

• Management of Mille Lacs -- one of the most productive natural walleye lakes in the world -- is also shared with the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe.

Staying in touch is the best way to make sure all decisions are in the best interests of the lake and all the people who use it.

Here's an idea for the next DNR Roundtable discussion:

Go through the fishing and hunting regulations and simplify, simplify, simplify.

If I buy my hunting license online, including the various required duck and pheasant stamps or whatever (and there's proof on the online license that the aforesaid stamps were paid for in full by the aforementioned buyer of said license) then ...

Good grief ... why am I facing arrest without the actual stamp?