DNR Involvement in the 2007 NAWEOA Conference

The Minnesota Legislative Auditor's Office recently examined the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource's (DNR's) involvement in the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA) conference held in St. Paul in July 2007. In an audit released Aug. 28, the legislative auditor released its final report citing several problems with the DNR's management oversight, fundraising, and spending policies related to its involvement in the conference. See the DNR's response letter .

Q: The DNR's involvement in a law enforcement conference is being scrutinized. What kind of conference was it?

A: The NAWEOA conference was held in St. Paul in July 2007 and attended by most Minnesota DNR conservation officers. It was the 26th annual conference of the NAWEOA, an 8,000-member organization of game wardens established in 1980. The organization hosts a conference every summer in a city in the United States or Canada. The conference required long-range event planning and management. The DNR's involvement spanned more than three years, including a commissioner's office transition.

Q: If it is a conference that has been held for so many years, why was this one criticized?

A: The legislative auditor has questioned the DNR's conference oversight, conference fundraising activities, some conference expenses paid by the DNR, travel expenses for some employees, and some other policies.

Q: What is being done about it?

A: The DNR has accepted responsibility for shortcomings identified by the auditor and is already making changes to improve its processes.

Q: What was wrong with conference fundraising?

A: The auditor said the DNR did not fundraise in compliance with the state's code of conduct. The DNR is reviewing its policies with the Attorney General's Office, will revise them as needed, and is providing training to ensure future conferences are well-managed.

Q: And how about the conference expenses?

A: The auditor questioned approximately $300,000 in DNR conference expenses. To help rectify this, the DNR will work with the Attorney General's Office to seek reimbursement of conference profits made by outside organizations. In addition, the DNR will develop improved conference planning and special events policies, and implement new approval procedures.

Q: What are the concerns about employee travel expenses?

A: Procedures were not followed for some employee travel, according to the auditor. The DNR employee business expense policy has already been revised to require that conference agendas be submitted with travel requests. Travel policies and approval processes are being revised to guarantee strict departmental compliance.

Q: Who is responsible for the problems cited by the auditor?

A: DNR leadership accepts responsibility for the issues noted in the auditor's investigation, which took a broad, systemic look at the agency's policies and procedures. A DNR internal audit is also underway, which will provide more details. Commissioner Mark Holsten said his leadership team will address any issues raised in the audits, improve DNR policies and procedures, and move forward in the conservation and management of Minnesota's natural resources.