The Text

The department of conservation shall consist of nine commissioners to serve without compensation and to be appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate for terms which shall expire in nine successive years, the first ending on the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and seventeen, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of nine years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. One commissioner shall reside in each judicial district. No person shall be eligible to or shall continue to hold the office of commissioner, who is engaged in the business of lumbering in any forest preserve county or who is engaged in any business in the prosecution of which hydraulic power is used or in which water is distributed or sold under any public franchise or who is an officer or holder of the stock or bonds of any corporation engaged in such business within the state. They shall be subject to removal by the governor on charges, after an opportunity to be heard. Subject to the limitations in this constitution contained, the department shall be charged with the development and protection of the natural resources of the state; the encouragement of forestry and the suppression of forest fires throughout the state; the exclusive care, maintenance and administration of the forest preserve; the conservation, prevention of pollution, and regulation of the waters of the state; the protection and propagation of its fish, birds, game, shellfish and crustacea, except migratory fish of the sea within the limits of the marine district, with the power, subject to the veto within thirty days of the governor, to enact regulations with respect to the taking, possession, sale and transportation thereof, which shall have the force of law, when filed in the office of the department of state and published as the legislature may provide, until and unless the legislature shall thereafter modify such regulations. The department shall also be entrusted with, the enforcement of the general laws of the state respecting the subjects hereinbefore enumerated and exercise such additional powers as from time to time may be conferred by law. The department shall appoint and may at pleasure remove a superintendent. It may also appoint all other necessary subordinates.