Department of Fish and Wildlife
| Annual FTEs | General Fund State | Other Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
| Estimated Expenditures | 1,556.7 | 161,487 | 375,900 | 537,387 |
| Total Maintenance Changes | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019-21 Maintenance Level | 1,556.7 | 161,652 | 375,979 | 537,631 |
2019-21 Policy Other Changes |
||||
| Balance to Available Revenue | 0.0 | 0 | (725) | (725) |
| Interest Arbitration | 0.0 | 264 | 0 | 264 |
| Hiring Freeze Savings | 0.0 | (1,163) | 0 | (1,163) |
| Contracts Freeze | 0.0 | (400) | 0 | (400) |
| Recover Habitat Post-fire | 0.50 | 1,098 | 0 | 1,098 |
| Wildfire Season Suppression Costs | 0.0 | 300 | 0 | 300 |
| 2019-21 Policy Other Changes Total | 0.50 | 99 | (725) | (626) |
2019-21 Policy Comp Changes |
||||
| Agency Savings in FY 2021 | (206) | (1,438) | (1,644) | |
| General Wage Increase Savings | (195) | (286) | (481) | |
| 2019-21 Policy Comp Changes Total | 0.0 | (401) | (1,724) | (2,125) |
| Total Policy Changes | 0.50 | (302) | (2,449) | (2,751) |
| 2019-21 Policy Level | 1,557.2 | 161,350 | 373,530 | 534,880 |
Policy Changes
Equipment Maintenance and Software
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) faces increasing costs for Microsoft software. WDFW requests additional funding to maintain these essential functions for daily operations, without compromising core agency activities.
IT Appeals and Reclass FY21
Increases compensation for eight information technology positions based on levels established through settled appeals with State Human Resources.
Attorney General Increases
One-time funding for increased legal services costs from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Legal services were increased by two percent, beginning July 1, 2020.
Balance to Available Revenue
Expenditure authority is reduced in the ORV & Nonhighway Vehicle Account to balance with available revenue. (Aquatic Invasive Species Mngmt Acct - State, ORV & Nonhighway Account - State)
Interest Arbitration
This item provides full funding to implement Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5481 (Chapter 298, Laws of 2020), relating to interest arbitration. (General Fund - State)
Hiring Freeze Savings
Agency savings were achieved by implementing the governor’s directive to freeze non-essential hiring. (General Fund - State)
Contracts Freeze
Agency savings were achieved by implementing the governor’s directive to freeze personal services contracts. (General Fund - State)
Recover Habitat Post-fire
Of the total acres of department land burned from wildfire, 87,645 acres of critical habitat for wildlife was damaged in the summer and fall of 2020 and needs to be stabilized. Particularly hard hit were the Wenas, Swanson Lakes, Sagebrush Flats, and Oak Creek wildlife areas. One-time funding is provided to clear fire-damaged areas, manage the spread of noxious weeds, and restore damaged habitat and public access sites. (General Fund - State)
Wildfire Season Suppression Costs
During August and September 2020, wildfires burned over 427,000 acres of Department of Fish and Wildlife land. The three largest fires were Pearl Hill, Evans Canyon, and Whitney. The department is required to pay local fire districts and the Department of Natural Resources for firefighting activities on lands not covered by the Forest Fire Protection Assessment. Funding is increased to align with forecasted expenditures for fire suppression in fiscal year 2021. (General Fund - State)
Agency Savings in FY 2021
Agency savings were achieved by implementing the governor's directive to furlough staff. (Recreational Fisheries Enhancement - State, Special Wildlife Account - Private/Local, Special Wildlife Account - Local, other funds)
General Wage Increase Savings
Agency savings were achieved by implementing the governor's directive to withhold the general wage increase scheduled for July 1, 2020. (Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account - State, Aquatic Invasive Species Mngmt Acct - State, General Fund - Private/Local, other funds)
