Department of Fish and Wildlife
| Average Annual FTEs | Near General Fund State | Other Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
| Current Budget | 1,850.0 | 346,052 | 418,700 | 764,752 |
| 2025-27 Maintenance Level | 1,835.1 | 345,039 | 420,779 | 765,818 |
| Difference from 2025-27 Original | (14.9) | (1,013) | 2,079 | 1,066 |
| % Change from 2025-27 Original | (0.8%) | (0.3%) | 0.50% | 0.14% |
2025 Policy Other Changes |
||||
| Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring | 6.1 | 1,644 | 0 | 1,644 |
| Crab Fishery and Humpbacks | 2.5 | 570 | 0 | 570 |
| Biodiversity and Species Recovery | 0.0 | (4,000) | 0 | (4,000) |
| Reduce Emissions, Build Resilience | 1.0 | 0 | 1,680 | 1,680 |
| Post-wildfire Habitat Recovery | 1.2 | 2,966 | 0 | 2,966 |
| Facilities Six-Year Plan Alignment | 0.0 | 690 | 305 | 995 |
| Forest Health, Fuel Reductions | 0.0 | 0 | (2,800) | (2,800) |
| Hatchery Conservation Programs | 0.50 | 210 | 0 | 210 |
| Hatchery Investment Strategy | 1.0 | 226 | 0 | 226 |
| Invest in Lands Stewardship | 3.0 | 984 | 3,400 | 4,384 |
| Pinniped Predation | 4.0 | 1,620 | 0 | 1,620 |
| Fish Passage and Screening Capacity | 2.0 | 636 | 0 | 636 |
| Quagga and Zebra Mussel Prevention | 20.7 | 3,620 | 3,620 | 7,240 |
| Recreation Land Maintenance | 0.0 | (2,500) | 0 | (2,500) |
| Reduce to available revenue | 0.0 | 0 | (120) | (120) |
| Riparian Systems Assessment | 3.5 | 1,650 | 0 | 1,650 |
| Respond to Wildlife Disease | 5.5 | 2,778 | 0 | 2,778 |
| Prosecute Environmental Crimes | 0.0 | (426) | 0 | (426) |
| Salmon Recovery Projects (HRPP) | (3.0) | (944) | 0 | (944) |
| WDFW Staff & Volunteer Safety | 1.0 | 2,450 | 2,859 | 5,309 |
| Managing Emergent Toxic Threats | 4.0 | 0 | 1,946 | 1,946 |
| Toutle and Skamania Hatcheries | 5.7 | 1,500 | 0 | 1,500 |
| Wolf Recovery | 1.5 | 780 | 0 | 780 |
| Wolf Advisory Group | 0.0 | 260 | 0 | 260 |
| 2025 Policy Other Changes Total | 60.2 | 14,714 | 10,890 | 25,604 |
2025 Policy Comp Changes |
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| WFSE General Government | 0.0 | 1,398 | 307 | 1,705 |
| DFW Teamsters 760 Enf Sgts | 0.0 | 897 | 693 | 1,590 |
| Fish and Wildlife Officers' Guild | 0.0 | 3,574 | 2,824 | 6,398 |
| Fish & Wildlife Professionals | 0.0 | 5,068 | 5,544 | 10,612 |
| Coalition of Unions | 0.0 | 1,990 | 2,828 | 4,818 |
| Non-Rep General Wage Increase | 0.0 | 2,127 | 1,454 | 3,581 |
| Non-Rep Targeted Pay Increases | 0.0 | 496 | 471 | 967 |
| Updated PEBB Rate | 0.0 | (370) | (356) | (726) |
| PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase | 0.0 | 135 | 116 | 251 |
| Pension Benefit Amortization | 0.0 | (488) | (418) | (906) |
| 2025 Policy Comp Changes Total | 0.0 | 14,827 | 13,463 | 28,290 |
2025 Policy Transfers Changes |
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| GSRO Direct Appropriation | 0.0 | (144) | 0 | (144) |
| 2025 Policy Transfers Changes Total | 0.0 | (144) | 0 | (144) |
2025 Policy Central Services Changes |
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| Archives/Records Management | 0.0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Audit Services | 0.0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Legal Services | 0.0 | (31) | 0 | (31) |
| Administrative Hearings | 0.0 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| WTS Central Services | 0.0 | 258 | 0 | 258 |
| DES Central Services | 0.0 | 239 | 0 | 239 |
| OFM Central Services | 0.0 | 4,147 | 0 | 4,147 |
| GOV Central Services | 0.0 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 Policy Central Services Changes Total | 0.0 | 4,687 | 0 | 4,687 |
| Total Policy Changes | 60.2 | 34,084 | 24,353 | 58,437 |
| 2025-27 Policy Level | 1,895.3 | 379,123 | 445,132 | 824,255 |
| Difference from 2023-25 | 45.3 | 33,071 | 26,432 | 59,503 |
| % Change from 2025-27 Original | 2.4% | 9.6% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
Policy Changes
Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring
Robust fisheries monitoring and planning efforts are critical to species conservation and recovery. This package supports Puget Sound freshwater fisheries monitoring efforts, aiding the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in safeguarding the health of imperiled fishery stocks and meeting federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Tribal co-management requirements while providing diverse and accessible recreational fishing opportunities for all Washingtonians. (General Fund - State)
Crab Fishery and Humpbacks
Fishery managers need accurate, timely data to meet management goals and fulfill harvest-sharing obligations outlined in state-Tribal co-management agreements. This package provides the funding necessary to leverage electronic monitoring in the coastal commercial Dungeness crab fishery benefiting Tribal co-management, fishery enforcement, whale entanglement risk remediation, and the protection of public health during marine biotoxin events. (General Fund - State)
Biodiversity and Species Recovery
One-time reduction for activities that contribute to increased biodiversity and recovery of threatened and endangered species. Examples include habitat protection and restoration, technical assistance for growth management planning, fish passage improvements, conservation education, and scientific research for species and ecosystem protection. (General Fund - State)
Reduce Emissions, Build Resilience
This funding supports ongoing work enhancing the WDFW’s response to climate change by building resilience to climate impacts and reducing department-generated greenhouse gas emissions. This proposal advances climate science development and builds climate resilience capacity, achieving meaningful GHG emissions reduction through fleet electrification and energy efficiency projects. (Climate Commitment Account - State, Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)
Post-wildfire Habitat Recovery
Each year, wildfires decimate many acres of public lands, causing extensive damage to habitat and facilities on department-managed wildlife areas. Funding supports efforts to recover habitat, reestablish native vegetation, prevent noxious weed infestations, and restore infrastructure in wildfire impacted areas. (General Fund - State)
Facilities Six-Year Plan Alignment
WDFW does not have adequate office and storage space and faces critical relocation needs due to lost leases or safety concerns in four locations, displacing staff and equipment. Funding is provided for one-time costs of acquiring additional leased office and storage space. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - State)
Forest Health, Fuel Reductions
Reduction to ongoing work regarding forest health and fuel reduction activities. (Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)
Hatchery Conservation Programs
Salmon population persistence in many rivers is threatened both by climate change and the legacy impacts from harmful habitat, fishery, and hatchery practices. Conservation hatchery programs have proven to be effective at maintaining at-risk populations and increasing genetic diversity. This package extends this proven technique to address critical salmon recovery needs for west Kitsap summer chum salmon in the Hood Canal. (General Fund - State)
Hatchery Investment Strategy
State hatchery operations need additional capacity for fish health services. This funding supports staffing for the Fish Health Unit to adequately monitor state and commercial aquaculture programs. (General Fund - State)
Invest in Lands Stewardship
The State-Tribal Recreation Impacts Initiative is addressing the impacts of recreation on natural and cultural resources and on protected Tribal rights across state-managed lands and waters. This request funds a technical work group to create a statewide data management system to inform appropriate land management decisions. (General Fund - State, Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)
Pinniped Predation
Pinniped (seal and sea lion) predation in Washington negatively impacts ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations, which are of great importance to endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales and commercial, recreational, and Tribal fisheries. This package supports continued participation in a successful Columbia River sea lion management program. (General Fund - State)
Fish Passage and Screening Capacity
WDFW is finalizing a review of the Fishways, Flow, and Screening Statutes to implement new rules surrounding fish passage and water diversions. This item provides additional staffing capacity for identified regions to support the anticipated increase in permitting associated with implementing the new rules. (General Fund - State)
Quagga and Zebra Mussel Prevention
WDFW will expand invasive Quagga and Zebra mussel activities including monitoring, implementing protections for habitat and infrastructure, and reducing impacts to our economy, environment, and species, including salmon and steelhead. WDFW will increase prevention activities, response readiness, public awareness, regulatory compliance, and preparation for extended management and mitigation. (General Fund - Local, General Fund - Private/Local, General Fund - State)
Recreation Land Maintenance
Ongoing funding reduction for the maintenance of recreational lands, such as maintaining grounds and facilities, trails, restrooms, water access areas, and similar activities. (General Fund - State)
Reduce to available revenue
Reduced appropriation to align with projected revenue. (Aquatic Invasive Species Mngmt Acct - State)
Riparian Systems Assessment
Healthy, connected riparian habitats are critical for preserving, protecting, and perpetuating Washington’s fish and wildlife, especially salmon and steelhead. WDFW will correct a lack of information on riparian conditions to better prioritize riparian restoration and protection. Funding will provide capacity to maintain the recently developed online decision support tool, the Riparian Data Engine, to help to optimize investments. (General Fund - State)
Respond to Wildlife Disease
Diseases can significantly impact wildlife populations, and sick wildlife are often an early warning of diseases that can affect domestic animals and humans. Resources are provided for the agency to implement response efforts to chronic wasting disease — recently detected in deer in Eastern Washington — in accordance with the chronic wasting disease management plan. (General Fund - State)
Prosecute Environmental Crimes
An ongoing reduction to pass through to the Attorney General's Office to prosecute environmental crimes to align with current Attorney General workload. (General Fund - State)
Salmon Recovery Projects (HRPP)
Funding is removed for the completion of the four-year Habitat Recovery Pilot Program created by ESSB 1382 (Salmon recovery projects) in the 2021 session. (General Fund - State)
WDFW Staff & Volunteer Safety
WDFW is rapidly scaling its Safety and Training Program to ensure staff and volunteers have appropriate training and tools to mitigate risks inherent in their work. Funding is provided to procure a new system to manage staff safety-related data. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)
Managing Emergent Toxic Threats
Chinook salmon and other key Puget Sound aquatic species are exposed to two emergent, highly toxic chemicals, PFAS and 6PPD-q, that potentially threaten species health as well as the health of Washingtonians who consume contaminated seafood. This investment allows WDFW to track the presence of these contaminants in juvenile salmon habitats and in key fish species throughout Puget Sound. Results will be used to guide clean up and pollution prevention efforts. (Model Toxics Control Operating Acct - State)
Toutle and Skamania Hatcheries
Federal Mitchell Act funds are used to operate seven hatcheries and produce over 17 million salmon and steelhead in the lower Columbia River. Federal funding shortfalls and increasing operational costs have jeopardize the department’s ability to maintain production levels. One-time funding is provided to maintain production and prevent the closures of two facilities, avoiding further risk to conservation, fishing opportunities, and local economies. (General Fund - State)
Wolf Recovery
Steadily growing wolf populations in Washington has increased wolf-livestock conflict. Capacity is provided for implementation of non-lethal mitigation strategies like range rider contracts, audio and visual deterrents, and cooperative cost-sharing agreements with producers experiencing wolf-livestock conflict issues. (General Fund - State)
Wolf Advisory Group
WDFW, through the citizen-based Wolf Advisory Group, has been working collaboratively to address critical biological and social issues surrounding residents’ strong and diverse opinions regarding co-existence with wolves. Support is provided to continue the external, neutral facilitator. (General Fund - State)
WFSE General Government
Funding for bargaining includes a 3%/2% general wage increase, targeted job classification increases, wildfire disaster leave, expanded bereavement leave, and paid vaccine travel time during pandemic emergencies. The agreement also includes: an additional $1 per hour supplemental shift premium for eligible employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are performed on location on evenings and weekends; 5% premium pay for employees who are assigned to a 24/7 facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, at-risk youth, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location, which will be in effect for the 2025–27 biennium; three additional steps on the nurse salary schedule; and an increase to the annual lump-sum payment for employees in LNI risk codes 7200/7201 from $500 to $750. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - State, Limited Fish and Wildlife Account - State, other funds)
DFW Teamsters 760 Enf Sgts
Funding for bargaining is provided. The agreement includes a 17%/2% general wage increase for commissioned officers in 2025–26. The agreement also establishes a Forts geographic premium pay of 7% and changes to assignment pay. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Local, General Fund - State, other funds)
Fish and Wildlife Officers' Guild
Funding for bargaining is provided. The agreement includes a 17%/2% general wage increase for commissioned officers in 2025–26. The agreement also includes an increase to the annual detective uniform allowance ($1,000) and changes to assignment pay. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)
Fish & Wildlife Professionals
Funding for bargaining includes a 3%/2% general wage increase, targeted job classification increases, wildfire disaster leave, expanded bereavement leave, and paid vaccine travel time during pandemic emergencies. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)
Coalition of Unions
Funding for bargaining includes a 3%/2% general wage increase, targeted job classification increases, wildfire disaster leave, expanded bereavement leave, and paid vaccine travel time during pandemic emergencies. The agreement also includes: The Fish and Wildlife Captains and Lieutenants Association (FWLCA) receive a general wage increase of 17% effective July 1, 2025, and 2% effective July 1, 2026, and a 5% differential between sergeants and lieutenants, and between lieutenants and captains; an additional $1 per hour supplemental shift premium for eligible employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are performed on location on evenings and weekends; a 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, with the premium pay in effect for the 2025–27 biennium; three additional steps on the nurse salary schedule; and an increase to the annual lump-sum payment for employees in LNI risk codes 7200/7201 from $500 to $750. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - Local, General Fund - State, other funds)
Non-Rep General Wage Increase
Funding is provided for wage increases for state employees who are not represented by a union or are not under a bargaining agreement that is subject to financial feasibility determination. It is sufficient for a general wage increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2025, and a general wage increase of 2%, effective July 1, 2026. This item includes both general government and higher education workers. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, other funds)
Non-Rep Targeted Pay Increases
Funding is provided for classified state employees who are not represented by a union or not covered by a bargaining agreement subject to financial feasibility determination, for pay increases in specific job classes in alignment with other employees. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)
Updated PEBB Rate
This item adjusts the employer funding rate for public employee insurance benefits to reflect policy-level decision packages. It increases the rate by $8 per month in the first fiscal year and decreases the rate by $34 per month in the second fiscal year, compared to the maintenance-level update, for a total rate of $1,315 in the first year and $1,355 in the second year. (Climate Commitment Account - State, Natural Climate Solutions Account - State, Oil Spill Prevention Account - State, other funds)
PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase
An adjustment is made for pension contribution rates, including to fund a benefit increase of 3%, up to a maximum of $110 per month for eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members. (Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Acc - State, General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)
Pension Benefit Amortization
An adjustment is made to the base pension rates, as set out in a proposed bill addressing the calculation of the base rate for the 2025–27 biennium, as well as amortization of Plan 1 benefit increases. (Model Toxics Control Operating Acct - State, Natural Climate Solutions Account - State, Oil Spill Prevention Account - State, other funds)
GSRO Direct Appropriation
The Governor's Salmon Recovery Office (GSRO) was moved to RCO in the 2009 legislative session. This included the historic GSRO funding from interagency agreements with the Department of Ecology and Department of Fish and Wildlife. The three agencies have identified that a direct appropriation would be more efficient than continuing to maintain the agreements. This funding is to be used solely for the original intent of the agreements to direct support the GSRO operations and mission. (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 is 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)
WTS Central Services
Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from Washington Technology Solutions for the Office of Cybersecurity, state network, enterprise and small agency IT services, enterprise architecture and data management, Microsoft 365 licenses, and other items. (General Fund - State)
DES Central Services
Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Department of Enterprise Services for Capitol Campus costs; real estate, risk management, and small agency services; the Perry Street and Capitol Campus child care centers; enterprise applications, and other items. (General Fund - State)
OFM Central Services
Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Office of Financial Management for existing statewide applications, the One Washington program, and other central services. See Chapter 11 of the 2025–27 OFM Budget Instructions for allocation methodologies. (General Fund - State)
GOV Central Services
Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Office of the Governor for the Office of Equity. (General Fund - State)
