Merger of natural resources agencies urged

Four of Maine’s natural resources agencies, including the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, could be merged into a single entity as part of Gov. John Baldacci’s plan to cut government spending.

Baldacci has directed the commissioners of DIF&W and the departments of Conservation, Agriculture and Marine Resources to develop a plan to consolidate the four agencies into “not more than two natural resources departments,” reads language in the governor’s supplemental budget bill.

The consolidation plan is due to the Legislature by January 2009.

Baldacci spokesman David Farmer said Thursday that the governor is looking for savings that can be achieved by eliminating duplication and streamlining services. Farmer said that, in some cases, consolidation also will help tear down the “wall” that exists between agencies that share similar goals, such as DIF&W and DOC’s joint commitment to keeping land open to traditional uses.

Farmer said most of the savings would likely come from the top administration-level and that the governor does not plan to cut employees, such as game wardens, who are “at the ground level.”

The governor expects the merger to save money while improving services to Maine residents.

“We are always trying to be more effective in serving these constituencies,” Farmer said.

Combining Maine’s natural resources agencies is by no means a new idea. The current plan does not involve the Department of Environmental Protection, which has been included in previous proposals for a “super agency” to oversee natural resources.

Baldacci also has ordered the commissioners of the four departments to work with his planning and budget staff to identify $250,000 in savings in the current biennium.

The savings would be achieved by consolidating services or identifying inefficiencies within these areas: Licensing and registration, food safety inspection and drinking water and septic regulation.

Patrick McGowan, commissioner of the Department of Conservation, said people always become nervous during any consolidation. But McGowan, whose department oversees most public lands as well as the Unorganized Territory, said agency staff are always open to ideas about increasing efficiency.

“We feel good about the discussion,” McGowan said. “We don’t know where it is going to end up, though.”

Not everyone will be pleased with the prospect of merged agencies, however.

George Smith, executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, said recently that he has looked at the aftereffects of consolidation in other states. In every case, Smith said, the fish and game departments and sportsmen ended up “losing out.”

“This is the most serious challenge that we have this legislative session,” Smith said on Jan. 4 while addressing attendees of SAM’s annual conference for sportsmen. “Every one of you better be prepared to talk about consolidation” with legislators.

The proposal also is likely to encounter resistance from farmers and agriculture organizations.