Madison – Dr. Karen Hyun of Madison accepted the invitation from Governor Tony Evers to act as the next secretary of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Department (DNR).
“Dr. Hyun’s extensive scientific origin and knowledge in the field of fish and wild nature, coastal reconstruction and the management of the coast and resistance will make it a great advantage for the Department of Natural Resources and our administration, “said Evers in a press statement. “She spent most of her career in environmental policy, Dr. Hyun brings a wealth of experience in moving in many problems that the department is responsible for every day, and I am very excited to start.”
Evers said Hyun has experience in working on natural resources, management and protection issues. Served as the chief of staff National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) from 2021 also has more than a decade of experience in politics and environmental work.
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Hyun started his career in 2009, serving the US Natural Resources Committee. In 2012, Hyun served as a senior policy advisor at the US Department of Trade Department, as well as the head of the position of the Deputy Secretary Deputy Office in 2013.
Then Hyun became a senior adviser to Noaa in June 2014, before he became the deputy assistant of the secretary for fish, wild nature and parks at the interior department in 2015. She conducted initiatives focused on coastal resistance, restoration of the Mexican bay, maritime protection, and coastal management In National Audubon Societyacting as the Director for Water and Coast Policy, before he became the Vice President of Coast Protection in 2018.
“I have the honor to accept this meeting from Governor Evers to lead DNR,” said Hyun. “Wisconsin is known for its abundance of natural resources, wild nature and outdoor recreation possibilities, and I devoted most of my life to understanding, saving and promoting natural resources and spaces that we all know and love. I am looking forward to cooperation with the devoted DNR staff to ensure that ecosystems, wild nature, nature and Wisconsin resources remain available, safe and available for future generations of Wisconsinites. “
Hyun obtained a bachelor’s degree and master of earthly systems at the Stanford University in California and a doctorate in maritime affairs at the University of Rhode Island.
Bruce Ross, Executive Director of the Waterfowl Association, Wit Hyuna in DNR.
“The history of Dr. Hyun’s involvement based on the science of wild nature resource management and wide management has credibility that will serve Wisconsin well,” Ross said. “We are looking forward to a meeting with Dr. Hyun when she gives way to continue our cooperation on typical problems in the coming months.”
Hyun lives with her husband and children in Madison. He will start his modern role as the secretary of Wisconsin DNR on January 27.
Secretary of DNR He was empty For over a year after the former secretary of DNR Adam Payne He announced his resignation At the end of October 2023, Payne played this role for about 10 months at the time of his resignation.
When asked on Monday, why the search lasted so long, spokesman for Eversa Eversa Britt Cudaback replied: “We can refer you to many previous comments from the governor.” She did not develop.
Evers said in January 2024 that the Republicans of the Senate hindered finding a modern secretary.
Republican legislators for years treated DNR with contempt, criticizing the agency for too draconian in regulation of pollution and providing a low deer population in the northern forests of state.
The voltage is particularly high between the GOP and the agency since Evers took office for the first time in 2019.
Fred Prehn, a member of the DNR policy council appointed by the then government of the Republican Scott Walker, refused to leave the place for over a year after the end of the term in May 2021, maintaining 4-3 most of the majority in the board for republican denators.
The Senate, controlled by Republicans, voted in favor of rejecting four of the five appointed by Evers to the board in October 2023, appointed by Evers currently serving on the board, they have not yet received voting in confirmation.
“This hinders the employment of the DNR secretary,” said Evers Wisconsin Public Radio. “We’ll get someone. We’ll get a good person. But to hang over the head, and then make decisions by this person based on “Should I be employed, approved by the Senate?” It’s just bad. “
Hyun’s nomination must now go before the Wisconsin Senate to confirm. The leader of most of the Senate, Devin Lemahieu, issued a statement on Monday, December 23, saying that the Republicans were “waiting for a meeting with Hyun to discuss its qualifications. He did not present any tips on whether he would win confirmation.
Governorials in Wisconsin can serve without confirmation of votes until the Senate votes in favor of rejecting their nomination.
Lemahieu continued his statement to attack Evers for not replacing Payne earlier. He said that the qualified leader of DNR could convince the governor to sign a Republican bill in April, which would create subsidies to fight the pollution of the group of chemicals known as PFA. Evers vetoed the law saying that he would limit DNR rights to pull the pollution responsibility. Both sides spent the last eight months blaming the second for killing the bill.
The Associated Press has contributed to this story.
