Department of Fish and Wildlife

	Average Annual FTEs	Near General Fund State	Other Funds	Total Funds
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Current Budget	1,691.9	252,294	364,490	616,784
2023-25 Maintenance Level	1,752.4	251,118	364,750	615,868
Difference from 2023-25 Original	60.5	(1,176)	260	(916)
% Change from 2023-25 Original	3.6%	(0.5%)	0.07%	(0.1%)
2023 Policy Other Changes
Comprehensive Planning – Climate	0.0	0	114	114
Nonappropriated Fund Adjustment	0.0	0	(197)	(197)
Salish Sea Marine Mammal Surveys	2.0	940	0	940
Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring	6.7	1,644	0	1,644
Crab Fishery and Humpbacks	2.5	570	0	570
Streamflow Policy Support	3.0	1,037	0	1,037
Body Cameras and Public Records	4.0	1,589	0	1,589
Building a Climate-resilient WDFW	11.8	860	4,446	5,306
Columbia River Pinniped Predation	4.2	1,506	0	1,506
Clean Energy Permitting	1.5	0	468	468
Critical Infrastructure Maintenance	8.6	1,771	0	1,771
Building a Carbon-neutral WDFW	2.5	0	1,752	1,752
Climate Resilience Strategy	0.50	0	184	184
Emerging Toxics in Chinook and Orca	4.5	0	4,816	4,816
Fisheries Enforcement Compliance	5.8	2,714	0	2,714
Forest Health and Fuel Reductions	0.0	0	6,000	6,000
Fish Passage Rulemaking	1.0	388	0	388
Hatchery Investment Strategy	0.60	176	0	176
Upper Columbia River Salmon	0.0	3,000	0	3,000
Fish Passage Maintenance Team	5.0	1,482	0	1,482
Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism (PEAR)	2.0	696	0	696
Required FPMT Compliance	1.0	0	310	310
Prioritization of Fish Barriers	1.3	584	0	584
Toutle & Skamania River Hatcheries	5.7	1,896	0	1,896
Monitor Shellfish Harvest	1.3	814	0	814
Manage Impacts to State Lands	3.6	1,310	0	1,310
Riparian Systems Assessment	6.0	1,994	0	1,994
Building Salmon Team Capacity	2.0	680	0	680
Support of Tribal Hatcheries	0.0	900	0	900
Expand Wildlife Conflict Response	5.0	1,540	0	1,540
Wolf Recovery	1.5	954	0	954
Wolf Advisory Group	0.0	260	0	260
Wildlife Rehabilitation	0.0	0	300	300
Water Science Team Funding Shift	0.0	1,070	0	1,070
Zooplankton Monitoring Program	0.50	645	0	645
2023 Policy Other Changes Total	94.1	31,020	18,193	49,213
2023 Policy Comp Changes
State Employee Benefits	0.0	181	180	361
WFSE General Government	0.0	1,485	992	2,477
Fish and Wildlife Officers Guild	0.0	1,492	1,393	2,885
DFW Teamsters 760 Enf Sgts	0.0	392	403	795
Rep Employee Health Benefits	0.0	269	353	622
Fish & Wildlife Professionals	0.0	6,052	8,009	14,061
Non-Rep Recruitment/Retention	0.0	441	446	887
Coalition of Unions	0.0	1,039	2,135	3,174
Non-Rep General Wage Increase	0.0	3,964	3,688	7,652
PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase	0.0	153	165	318
Vaccine Booster Incentive	0.0	381	385	766
2023 Policy Comp Changes Total	0.0	15,849	18,149	33,998
2023 Policy Central Services Changes
Shared Tenant M365 to CSM	0.0	(1,603)	0	(1,603)
State Data Center	0.0	(162)	0	(162)
Archives/Records Management	0.0	17	0	17
Audit Services	0.0	21	0	21
Legal Services	0.0	534	0	534
Administrative Hearings	0.0	27	0	27
CTS Central Services	0.0	2,616	0	2,616
DES Central Services	0.0	1,390	0	1,390
OFM Central Services	0.0	3,093	0	3,093
GOV Central Services	0.0	710	0	710
2023 Policy Central Services Changes Total	0.0	6,643	0	6,643
Total Policy Changes	94.1	53,512	36,342	89,854
2023-25 Policy Level	1,846.5	304,630	401,092	705,722
Difference from 2021-23	154.6	52,336	36,602	88,938
% Change from 2023-25 Original	9.1%	20.7%	10.0%	14.4%

Policy Changes

Comprehensive Planning – Climate

Governor Inslee will introduce legislation in 2023 requiring local governments to plan for climate resiliency while reducing contributions to the climate crisis. The bill will require cities and counties to update their land use plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce single-occupancy transportation, and establish a new 'climate change and resiliency' goal that integrates equity considerations. Multiple state agencies will work with the Department of Commerce in assisting local governments with implementation, including providing technical assistance and guidance materials. Funding is provided to the department for its role in implementing this bill. (Climate Commitment Account - State)

Nonappropriated Fund Adjustment

A technical appropriations adjustment is made in the Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Reward Account to match available revenue. (Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Reward - Non-Appropriated)

Salish Sea Marine Mammal Surveys

More scientific information is needed to determine whether seal and sea lion consumption of salmon and steelhead is negatively impacting salmon, steelhead, and Southern Resident orca recovery efforts in Puget Sound. Ongoing funding is provided to continue the diet survey of these marine mammals and identify non-lethal management actions to deter them from preying on salmon and steelhead. (General Fund - State)

Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring

In the 2022 supplemental budget, the department made investments to improve and expand the Puget Sound steelhead spawning estimates, allowing for a better managed recreational fishery. The ongoing funding for 6.7 FTE staff ensures these monitoring efforts and data collection are maintained. (General Fund - State)

Crab Fishery and Humpbacks

Humpback whales feed off Washington's coastal waters in the summer and some have been getting tangled in crabbing gear. Two species of humpbacks traveling through Washington waters are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Entanglement also places a risk to the Dungeness crab fishery. The department is provided additional funding to manage electronic tracked crab fishery gear to avoid whale entanglements during their migration. (General Fund - State)

Streamflow Policy Support

The department will continue to provide policy and scientific support to the Department of Ecology regarding surface and groundwater resource management issues with a focus on fish and wildlife needs for adequate instream flows. (General Fund - State)

Body Cameras and Public Records

WDFW enforcement officers are fully commissioned police officers. This item equips them with body worn cameras to increase law enforcement transparency, improve officer and public safety, and reduce agency liabilities. Ongoing support is provided for the increased public records requirements associated with managing body worn camera video footage. (General Fund - State)

Building a Climate-resilient WDFW

Washington's ecosystems are already experiencing climate change impacts, which will continue over the coming decades. Funding is provided to increase capacity in four aspects of the department's mission most vulnerable to climate change: (1) guide species recovery efforts, (2) provide harvest and recreation opportunities, (3) provide technical assistance, permitting, and planning support, and (4) manage agency lands and infrastructure. (General Fund - State, Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)

Columbia River Pinniped Predation

Every year, sea lions consume thousands of migrating salmon and steelhead along the Columbia River, many from runs listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The salmon and steelhead consumed by pinnipeds are no longer available for fishing opportunities, and their offspring will no longer feed the declining Southern Resident orca population which relies on these fish as its primary food source. The department will reduce pinniped predation by lethal removal of sea lions in the Columbia River. (General Fund - State)

Clean Energy Permitting

Washington is seeing an increasing interest in the development of renewable energy projects. To increase the speed of clean energy project permitting, 1.5 FTE staff in ongoing capacity is provided with dedicated expertise around wind power and pumped hydro storage. Providing expertise for these project types ensures the department's ability to proactively and in real time assist with technical guidance for all clean energy projects. (Climate Commitment Account - State)

Critical Infrastructure Maintenance

Well-maintained facilities ensure day-to-day operations are efficient and cost effective; minimize workplace hazards for staff and the public; and mitigate production disruptions and potential catastrophic loss of state resources. This funding increases the baseline maintenance budget for critical state-owned infrastructure including hatchery water supply and equipment, general facility sustainment, asphalt and concrete sealant capacity, and electrical system upgrades. (General Fund - State)

Building a Carbon-neutral WDFW

RCW 70A.45.050 requires state agencies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The first phase of the department's sustainability plan starts the transition of the vehicle fleet to electricity and alternative fuels, advances energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, creates a commute trip reduction program, and supports foundational research and capacity-building. This package is projected to reduce the agency's emissions 29.5% by 2025, putting WDFW on track to comply with the next required tier of reducing emissions 45% by 2030. (Climate Commitment Account - State, Carbon Emissions Reduction Account - State)

Climate Resilience Strategy

Agency request legislation directs the Department of Ecology to update the statewide strategy for climate resilience in coordination with several other state agencies. Ecology is required to consult with Tribes and overburdened communities in this work and to seek guidance from the Office of Equity and Environmental Justice Council. Expenditure authority is provided for implementation of the bill if adopted by the Legislature. (Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)

Emerging Toxics in Chinook and Orca

Southern Resident killer whales, Chinook salmon, forage fish and other species in Puget Sound are exposed to thousands of toxic chemicals. This investment allows the department to track additional Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in the food web. This funding expands the agency's toxics monitoring program by including CECs with the tissue samples already being analyzed for legacy toxics. This research will accelerate recovery and protection by identifying the location and sources of CEC exposure. (Model Toxics Control Operating Acct - State)

Fisheries Enforcement Compliance

Compliance for commercial and recreational fisheries is a critical component of harvest management plans. A portion of this funding is for the second phase of a 15.0 FTE increase in WDFW officers to increase enforcement of commercial and recreational fisheries on the coast, straits, and Puget Sound. Two additional two officers will address specific co-management concerns of marine water fisheries, increasing the project investment to 17 new officer positions. One-time funding is also provided to procure a law enforcement vessel to be deployed for coastal fisheries. (General Fund - State)

Forest Health and Fuel Reductions

Wildfires are increasing in their severity and occurrence. The agency owns and manages significant amounts of forest lands. Funding is provided to reduce severe wildfire risk and increase forest resiliency through fuels reduction, thinning, fuel break creation, and prescribed burning on agency lands. (Forest Resiliency Account - State)

Fish Passage Rulemaking

Rulemaking efforts under chapter 77.57 RCW for fishways, flow, and screening increase protection of fish passage when rivers and streams are diverted or obstructed for human uses. Specifically, the rules will define procedures to address fish barriers that are not being proposed to be corrected by landowners. Ongoing funding is provided to ensure that rules are kept up to date. (General Fund - State)

Hatchery Investment Strategy

To remain operational, the Toutle River fish collection facility requires constant maintenance to clear sediment build up. The department is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to cost share a facility upgrade to improve collection efficiency of adult salmonoids and better handle sediment loads. Part-time FTEs are provided to ensure current operational capacity is maintained through the completion of the facility upgrade currently planned to begin in 2025. (General Fund - State)

Upper Columbia River Salmon

One-time funding is provided for pass-through to Tribes of the Upper Columbia River to support reintroduction of Chinook salmon above the Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams. (General Fund - State)

Fish Passage Maintenance Team

Fishways and fish screens are required to provide passage for migrating fish. Hundreds of state, federal, and private fishways and fish screens provide passage for millions of migratory fish. The department owns 100 fishways that provide access to 1,768 miles of spawning and rearing habitat, and over 100 fish screens that protect downstream migrating fish. Funding is provided for operation and maintenance capacity for state fish passage facilities and technical assistance. (General Fund - State)

Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism (PEAR)

The department manages and allocates the state's fish and wildlife resources for all Washingtonians. As required by Executive Order 22-04, the department is committed to advancing Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism (PEAR) policies. Two new positions are included to expand the diversity, equity, and inclusion work unit to accommodate the new planning and reporting requirements. (General Fund - State)

Required FPMT Compliance

One-time funding from the Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Account is provided to populate the Facilities Portfolio Management Tool (FPMT) in compliance of RCW 43.82.150. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State)

Prioritization of Fish Barriers

Fish Passage barriers are a major impediment to salmon and steelhead accessing habitat. Maintaining a statewide prioritization of fish passage barrier corrections, in consultation with regional salmon recovery organizations, is critical to maximize salmon recovery efforts and coordination with the state's schedule for culvert corrections. Ongoing funding is provided to ensure the cross-agency effort is implemented in the most efficient way possible. (General Fund - State)

Toutle & Skamania River Hatcheries

One-time finding is provided to fill a shortfall in support from the federal government through the Mitchell Act to prevent closure of the Toutle and Skamania River hatcheries. (General Fund - State)

Monitor Shellfish Harvest

Additional ongoing funding is provided to fulfill the increased recreational and commercial shellfish harvest monitoring needed to meet tribal co-management obligations. This investment will monitor shellfish harvests, monitor intertidal and crustacean fisheries, address emerging environmental issues, maintain a new data management infrastructure, and develop a disease and pest management program to protect shellfish fisheries. (General Fund - State)

Manage Impacts to State Lands

Recreational activities on state land reside with three agencies: the State Parks and Recreation Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Fish and Wildlife. Increased visitation and use have strained the ecosystems on public lands. A statewide data management system will be jointly created to make informed management decisions that meet conservation goals for public lands. Agencies will collaborate with Tribal governments to ensure cultural resources and cultural practices are considered and incorporated into management plans. A plan and implementation strategy will be developed to improve public access opportunities. This investment will advance decision making based on the ecological health of public lands, creating a balance between conservation and the increasing demand for outdoor recreation. (General Fund - State)

Riparian Systems Assessment

Riparian habitat is crucial for water quality, salmon recovery, and ecosystem health. Ongoing funding is provided for the department to assess the current conditions of riparian areas of the state, beginning with areas where sufficient information exists to conduct the assessment. The assessment will include identifying any gaps in vegetated cover relative to a science-based standard for a fully functioning riparian ecosystem and comparing the status and gaps to water temperature impairments, known fish passage barriers, and salmonid stocks. (General Fund - State)

Building Salmon Team Capacity

Salmon management requires extensive data and analysis to understand fisheries impacts and maintain fishing opportunities. Ongoing funding is provided for additional analysis to better inform fisheries co-management negotiations with federal and Tribal partners. (General Fund - State)

Support of Tribal Hatcheries

One-time funding is provided for grants to specified tribes for hatchery-related projects and upgrades. (General Fund - State)

Expand Wildlife Conflict Response

As Washington's population continues to grow, human-wildlife interactions and conflicts increase. This item provides ongoing funding for five wildlife conflict specialists to address crop damage, dangerous wildlife interactions, and conflict preventative education and outreach. (General Fund - State)

Wolf Recovery

The department manages wolf conflicts with livestock by working with ranchers on non-lethal methods to deter wolves from preying on cattle. Ongoing and one-time funding is provided to maintain 1.5 FTE wildlife conflict specialists to respond to livestock depredations, to coordinate nonlethal deterrents with ranchers, such as contracting with range riders, and to provide technical assistance and support. (General Fund - State)

Wolf Advisory Group

One-time funding is provided to continue an external facilitator for the Wolf Advisory Group to seek collaborative solutions to wolf management. (General Fund - State)

Wildlife Rehabilitation

Washington's network of 36 wildlife rehabilitation centers cares for over 16,000 sick, injured, and young wild animals. One-time funding is provided for the second, and final, project phase to expand the network of centers statewide to assist animals in need, particularly in central, southern, and eastern Washington. (Wildlife Rehabilitation Account - State)

Water Science Team Funding Shift

State law requires enough water is kept in streams and rivers to protect and preserve instream resources. To protect instream water, the Department of Ecology sets instream flow levels, adopts them into rule, and treats them as water rights. WDFW receives funding through an interagency agreement with the Department of Ecology to support the instream flow setting process. Funding is transferred from Ecology to WDFW which increases governmental efficiency by eliminating the need for an interagency agreement. (General Fund - State)

Zooplankton Monitoring Program

Funding is provided to replace expiring federal funding for the department to monitor zooplankton, an important primary food source in the marine food web in Puget Sound. The results will help explain the impacts of ocean acidification on the marine ecosystem, salmon population, and Southern Resident orca whale recovery. (General Fund - State)

State Employee Benefits

Health insurance funding is provided for state employees who are not represented by a union, who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination, or who are not part of the coalition of unions for health benefits. The insurance funding rate is $1,160 per employee per month for fiscal year 2024 and $1,233 per employee per month for fiscal year 2025. (General Fund - State, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Federal, other funds)

WFSE General Government

Funding is provided for a general wage increase of 4%, effective July 1, 2023; a general wage increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2024; targeted job classification base range increases; recognition and retention lump sum payments for employees employed on or before July 1, 2022 and continuously employed through July 1, 2023; shift premium increase for eligible shifts from $1 to $2.50 per eligible hour; a COVID-19 booster incentive of $1,000; supplemental shift premium increases for nurse classifications; 5% premium pay for employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location; and an increase of $250 to the annual lump sum payment for Labor and Industries risk classes 7200/7201. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - State, Limited Fish and Wildlife Account - State, other funds)

Fish and Wildlife Officers Guild

Funding is included for a general wage increase of 4%, effective July 1, 2023, a general wage increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2024, COVID-19 lump sum booster incentive, and lump sum payments for longevity premiums. These agreements also include a $2,000 lump sum for retention purposes payable in July 2023 and geographic premium for certain locations. (General Fund - Federal, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - State, other funds)

DFW Teamsters 760 Enf Sgts

Funding includes a general wage increase of 4%, effective July 1, 2023, a general wage increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2024, COVID-19 lump sum booster incentive, and lump sum payments for longevity premiums. These agreements also include a $2,000 lump sum for retention purposes payable in July 2023 and a geographic premium for certain locations. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - State, General Fund - Local, other funds)

Rep Employee Health Benefits

This provides health insurance funding as part of the master agreements for employees who bargain for health benefits as part of a coalition of unions. The insurance funding rate is $1,160 per employee per month for fiscal year 2024 and $1,233 per employee per month for fiscal year 2025. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, other funds)

Fish & Wildlife Professionals

Non-Rep Recruitment/Retention

Funding is provided for recognition and retention lump sum payments for employees employed on or before July 1, 2022 and continuously employed through July 1, 2023. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, other funds)

Coalition of Unions

Funding is provided for a general wage increase of 4%, effective July 1, 2023; a general wage increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2024; targeted job classification base range increases; recognition and retention lump sum payments for employees employed on or before July 1, 2022 and continuously employed through July 1, 2023; shift premium increase for eligible shifts from $1 to $2.50 per eligible hour; and a COVID-19 booster incentive of $1,000. The agreement also includes a supplemental shift premium increases for nurse classifications; 5% premium pay for employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location; and a $500 annual lump sum payment for L&I codes 7200/7201. (General Fund - State, General Fund - Local, General Fund - Federal, other funds)

Non-Rep General Wage Increase

Funding is provided for wage increases for state employees who are not represented by a union or who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination. It is sufficient for a general wage increase of 4 percent, effective July 1, 2023 and a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2024. This item includes both general government and higher education workers. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - State, General Fund - Federal, other funds)

PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase

For eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members, this item provides an increase of 3%, up to a maximum of $110 per month. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, other funds)

Vaccine Booster Incentive

Funding is provided for a $1,000 lump sum COVID-19 booster incentive for non-represented employees. This funding does not cover institutions of higher education. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)

Shared Tenant M365 to CSM

Agency budgets are reduced by the base budget amounts provided to Consolidated Technology Services for Microsoft 365 licenses so the cost can be added to the central service model allocation in CTS central services (Step 92J). (General Fund - State)

State Data Center

Adjustments are made for each agency's share of costs related to the State Data Center. (General Fund - State)

Archives/Records Management

Adjustments are made for each agency's anticipated share of charges for archives and records management services provided by the Secretary of State's Office. (General Fund - State)

Audit Services

Adjustments are made for each agency's anticipated cost of audits performed by the State Auditor's Office. (General Fund - State)

Legal Services

Adjustments are made for each agency's anticipated cost of legal services provided by the Attorney General's Office. Because legal services expenditures are based on consumption, funding provided in the central service model is not all inclusive. The methodology to estimate consumption has been updated from a three-year average to a two-year average and allows for analysis to incorporate unique agency circumstances. (General Fund - State)

Administrative Hearings

Adjustments are made for each agency's anticipated cost of hearings performed by the Office of Administrative Hearings. (General Fund - State)

CTS Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from Consolidated Technology Services (CTS) for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Cybersecurity, state network, enterprise services, small agency IT services, security gateways, and geospatial imaging services. This amount now includes the total amount for agencies that use the Microsoft 365 shared tenant. See Chapter 11 of the 2023-25 OFM Budget Instructions for allocation methodologies. (General Fund - State)

DES Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for campus rent, parking, contracts, and security; capital project surcharges; financing cost recovery; public and historic facilities; real estate services; risk management services; personnel service rates; the Perry Street and Capitol Campus child care centers; small agency services; and the department's enterprise applications. See Chapter 11 of the 2023-25 OFM Budget Instructions for allocation methodologies. (General Fund - State)

OFM Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges for existing statewide applications, the One Washington program, and other central services provided by the Office of Financial Management. See Chapter 11 of the 2023-25 OFM Budget Instructions for allocation methodologies. (General Fund - State)

GOV Central Services

A new central service is created to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Office of the Governor for statewide policy staff and the Office of Equity. (General Fund - State)

Office of Financial Management

Budget

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