The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is charged with administering many statewide rules as they pertain to harvesting and protecting our state’s natural resources. In order to avoid enforcement measures, the agency provides resources and education to avert unnecessary impacts of these rules. The rules are designed to protect the public and public resources such as water quality and fish habitat while maintaining a viable natural resource-based economy. DNR's processes for making or changing rules across the agency, and in regard to forest issues, are shared with the public and made with stakeholder participation.

 

DNR's Aquatic Resources Division manages the rules associated with many of the state’s aquatic lands, including many associated with shipping and vessels. DNR offers preventative assistance through its Derelict Vessels Program to help boat-owners avoid harmful polluting.

 

DNR implements rules and policies created by several boards, including rules for activities which occur in forests. These activities, commonly called forest practices, include timber harvesting, pre-commercial thinning, road construction, fertilization, and forest chemical application. The agency makes small forest landowner programs and forest health assistance available to help property owners make sound, informed management decisions.

 

DNR’s Geology and Earth Resources Division helps to protect the public by regulating the geologic activities that take place throughout the state pertaining to: oil and gas, geothermal activities, metals, mining and milling, and surface mining reclamation.