The newly appointed Secretary of the WDNR Cathy Stepp has made a few changes at the top of the organization.  On March 3, 2011, I will be meeting with Pat Stevens the new Administrator of the Division of Air and Waste (WDNR Org Chart) to explore what these changes might mean to businesses in Wisconsin.  I have known Pat for many years and am particularly interested in the Bureau of Cooperative Environmental Assistance, which is the home of the Green Tier Program.  I am also interested in exploring any new approaches the WDNR is considering to help industry obtain approval on air permit applications or revisions to applications in a timely fashion.   Leave a post here or e-mail me to let me know if you have any issues that you would like me to bring up during this meeting.  Here is some more information about Pat and a link to the WDNR news release. 

Pat Stevens, Division of Air and Waste.  Stevens, 49, is new to the WDNR. He will oversee Air Management, Waste and Materials Management, Remediation and Redevelopment, and Cooperative Environmental Management (including Green Tier) programs.  Pat brings 17 years of experience with WDNR programs as general counsel for the Wisconsin Builders Association, counsel for the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, and environmental policy director for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.  In these roles, he collaborated with the WDNR and others on the development of a number of WDNR rules. Stevens also served as Assistant Attorney General in North Dakota from 1988-92, working with the Natural Resources and Indian Affairs Division and the Tax Commissioner’s Office.  He holds a B.A. in business management from Arizona State University and a law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law.