The Department of Natural Resources says it will no longer use a controversial “Do Not Respond” list to limit information it gives to people who have been deemed by the agency to be abusive or repetitive in their requests.
DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp said that upon learning of the matter, she’s told staff that lists of this type won’t be created or used.
One of the 16 people on the list who had sought information from the agency about pollution and wildlife concerns was Nancy Utesch of the group Kewaunee Cares. She said she doubts Stepp’s word.
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“I find any promises from the DNR at this time to lack in credibility,” said Utesch.
Utesch also wants to know more about when Stepp learned of the Do Not Respond list.
A DNR spokesman said the agency’s chief legal counsel discovered the list Feb. 8, as part of due diligence on open records requests. DNR Communications Director George Althoff said he is “not clear exactly what date Secretary Stepp learned about it,” but that it was the same week.
The DNR said the people on list were never meant to be denied open records requests — just other information they sought.
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