About the DNR

Mission Statement

Executive Summary

Environmental Performance Partnership Agreement
2005-2007

Approved by DNR in March, 2006 following EPA's earlier approval.

This 2005 - 2007 Performance Partnership Agreement between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.EPA) - Region 5, continues the commitment of both agencies to work as partners in the administration and implementation of environmental protection programs and initiatives in Wisconsin. The innovations established in the past and reflected in this agreement, provide greater discretion to states to allow them to be more effective in identifying and addressing critical environmental issues. Through this partnership WDNR and U.S.EPA identified those environmental challenges and program areas where agency resources and expertise need to be directed - and then established the necessary procedures, roles, and responsibilities to meet the expectations established in the agreement.

This agreement does not change or affect any agreements or interactions the State of Wisconsin or U.S.EPA Region 5 has with any federally recognized Native American Tribes within the State.

The primary focus of previous EnPPAs has been in the following areas:

  • Documenting grant requirements through easy to understand program charts.
  • Documenting partnering efforts.
  • Selecting joint priority projects.
  • Combining the EnPPA and Self Assessment Report.
  • Improving U.S.EPA and WDNR communication, and focusing that communication on priority setting and problem solving.
  • Reinforcing the relationship between the agencies as a true partnership.
  • Building on opportunities for innovation as a way to be more efficient and effective.
  • Developing and using an environmental decision making process that's focused on specific environmental outcomes - evaluating progress through the use of established performance measures.

This EnPPA continues and builds on those areas. Continued budget and workforce reductions, however, have increased the importance of establishing clear priorities - and assuring that both agencies are working in concert to achieve the goals established. To accomplish this, this EnPPA further emphasizes the need to communicate and work as partners to articulate environmental outcomes, evaluate progress and adapt as needed to better achieve results, and strive to set ambitious but realistic expectations for what we are able to achieve jointly given resources available.

As in the past, both agencies recognize the fact that improvement could still be made in bolstering our partnership. This EnPPA is designed to continue the progress we've made, and serve as a commitment to that partnership.

Last Revised: Friday April 21 2006