Wetlands Counsel experiences????

HAHLY · 06-30-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shore things

They're an appeals board that is independent of the Wetlands Bureau. When cases go before them we have the same standing as the Appellant, we get the same responses, in the same time frames.

Even if they are independent of the Wetlands Bureau they are not completely independent are they? They must report to someone, right? Who is that someone? Who might we be able to file a complaint with, or at least ask for answers and expect replies?

Onshore · 06-30-2008, 01:59 PM

They are not accountable to DES in anyway. That is supposed to ensure their objectivity. Since DES is a party to the cases they hear, DES cannot be in any position to exert influence over them.

HAHLY · 07-01-2008, 06:48 AM

OK, I get that they are not accountable to DES. But they have to be accountable to somebody, even if its the governor himself. Does anybody on this forum know who they are accountable to? Who gives them the responsibility that they have? Who pays them their mileage expense to get to a meeting? Who would dismiss them if they screwed up?

Boat Doc · 07-01-2008, 07:55 AM

I just spoke to Paul at Watermark and confirmed that he resigned from the Council as he had too many appeals before them. He said the Council is operated under the DES Legal Dept. and that while it does not answer to the Wetlands Bureau (as noted above), it does answer to the Commissioner of DES. He voiced the same concerns and issues mentioned in this thread and he told me a number of people have complained to him about the same things. Hope this helps.

HAHLY · 07-01-2008, 09:13 AM

Now we're getting somewhere. So, if we are to lodge a complaint with anybody it would be with Commissioner Burack's office. Thanks Boat Doc.

Onshore · 07-01-2008, 01:05 PM

No one at DES, not even the Commissioner, has any authority over the Wetlands Council. Council members are nominated by the industry or groups that they represent and then those nominations are confirmed by the Governor. If anyone could be said to "oversee" the Council it is the Governor's office. Try starting there...

tis · 07-01-2008, 01:10 PM

My sympathies to you you, HAHLY! I know the frustrations and we didn't even go as far as you have. We just weren't up for the fight.

HAHLY · 07-01-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shore things

No one at DES, not even the Commissioner, has any authority over the Wetlands Council. Council members are nominated by the industry or groups that they represent and then those nominations are confirmed by the Governor. If anyone could be said to "oversee" the Council it is the Governor's office. Try starting there...

Oy vey! And here I thought I was making progress. Contacting the Governor doesn't sound like it will yield the results I am looking for.

Boat Doc · 07-02-2008, 03:46 PM

I did not inlcude this tidbit in my post yesterday, but the public members of the Council are paid employees of DES (a whopping $50.00 per month plus mileage). So, while the Council may not be accountable to DES as far as authority goes, it is at least administered by DES and therefore I think the Commissioner would be the best place to start. Good Luck!

Onshore · 07-02-2008, 06:44 PM

Well HAHLY I guess the question at this point is, aside from the price of a stamp or two, what do you have to lose?

Gatto Nero · 07-03-2008, 08:14 AM

Even better, email is free. I sent one off a couple days ago. I'll let you know if I get anywhere.

07-03-2008, 08:14 AM	#11
Gatto Nero Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Isola Gatto Nero Posts: 697 Thanks: 162 Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts	Even better, email is free. I sent one off a couple days ago. I'll let you know if I get anywhere. __________________ La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero

06-30-2008, 01:59 PM	#2
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 503 Thanks: 12 Thanked 425 Times in 146 Posts	They are not accountable to DES in anyway. That is supposed to ensure their objectivity. Since DES is a party to the cases they hear, DES cannot be in any position to exert influence over them.

07-01-2008, 06:48 AM	#3
HAHLY Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: With the Old Man Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	OK, I get that they are not accountable to DES. But they have to be accountable to somebody, even if its the governor himself. Does anybody on this forum know who they are accountable to? Who gives them the responsibility that they have? Who pays them their mileage expense to get to a meeting? Who would dismiss them if they screwed up?

07-01-2008, 07:55 AM	#4
Boat Doc Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I just spoke to Paul at Watermark and confirmed that he resigned from the Council as he had too many appeals before them. He said the Council is operated under the DES Legal Dept. and that while it does not answer to the Wetlands Bureau (as noted above), it does answer to the Commissioner of DES. He voiced the same concerns and issues mentioned in this thread and he told me a number of people have complained to him about the same things. Hope this helps.

07-01-2008, 09:13 AM	#5
HAHLY Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: With the Old Man Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Now we're getting somewhere. So, if we are to lodge a complaint with anybody it would be with Commissioner Burack's office. Thanks Boat Doc.

07-01-2008, 01:05 PM	#6
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 503 Thanks: 12 Thanked 425 Times in 146 Posts	No one at DES, not even the Commissioner, has any authority over the Wetlands Council. Council members are nominated by the industry or groups that they represent and then those nominations are confirmed by the Governor. If anyone could be said to "oversee" the Council it is the Governor's office. Try starting there...

07-01-2008, 01:10 PM	#7
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,814 Thanks: 759 Thanked 1,469 Times in 1,025 Posts	My sympathies to you you, HAHLY! I know the frustrations and we didn't even go as far as you have. We just weren't up for the fight.

07-02-2008, 03:46 PM	#9
Boat Doc Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I did not inlcude this tidbit in my post yesterday, but the public members of the Council are paid employees of DES (a whopping $50.00 per month plus mileage). So, while the Council may not be accountable to DES as far as authority goes, it is at least administered by DES and therefore I think the Commissioner would be the best place to start. Good Luck!

07-02-2008, 06:44 PM	#10
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 503 Thanks: 12 Thanked 425 Times in 146 Posts	Well HAHLY I guess the question at this point is, aside from the price of a stamp or two, what do you have to lose?