Unit shrank

Last year, Schimel had six attorneys assigned to the DOJ environmental protection unit compared to 10 as recently as 2008, according to data the department released showing a decrease over 25 years.

Koremenos said in July he couldn’t explain the decrease, but outside attorneys who have worked closely with the unit said it may be a symptom of the dwindling number of pollution cases the state Department of Natural Resources has referred for legal action.

The DNR sent between 105 and 179 violations to environmental protection unit lawyers annually between 1989 and 2009, according to the DOJ data, but the number has exceeded 100 only once since then.

Fines hit low point

Last year, fines against polluters fell to their lowest point since at least 1994, dropping below $1 million for only the second time in that period, the data show.

Dawson joined DOJ in 1976 and held the position of public intervenor, an assistant attorney general position that was abolished in the 1995 state budget.

Public intervenors advocated for public rights related to natural resources in court, in agency rule-making and in legislative hearings.