Department of Natural Resources
| Average Annual FTEs | Near General Fund State | Other Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
| Current Budget | 1,764.9 | 339,723 | 736,713 | 1,076,436 |
| 2025-27 Maintenance Level | 1,776.0 | 365,885 | 695,785 | 1,061,670 |
| Difference from 2025-27 Original | 11.1 | 26,162 | (40,928) | (14,766) |
| % Change from 2025-27 Original | 0.63% | 7.7% | (5.6%) | (1.4%) |
2025 Policy Other Changes |
||||
| Aquatic Resources Conservation Corp | 1.0 | 0 | 1,581 | 1,581 |
| FP Adapt Management Program | 1.0 | 0 | 2,823 | 2,823 |
| Conservation Corp Recreation Prog | 1.0 | 3,000 | 0 | 3,000 |
| Derelict Structures | 0.0 | 0 | 2,105 | 2,105 |
| European Green Crab | 7.0 | 0 | 2,543 | 2,543 |
| Dayton Facility Relocation | 0.0 | 0 | 220 | 220 |
| Urban Forest Assistance | 0.0 | (2,632) | 2,632 | 0 |
| Forest Treatments | 0.0 | 0 | (3,299) | (3,299) |
| Statewide Lidar Acquisition&Refresh | 2.0 | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| Larch Facility Closure Savings | 0.0 | (780) | 0 | (780) |
| Legacy Systems Replace & Modernize | 1.3 | 1,479 | 0 | 1,479 |
| Post Wildland Fire Response | 4.0 | 0 | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Recreation Land Maintenance | 0.0 | (2,500) | 0 | (2,500) |
| Salmon Recovery Projects (HRPP) | (0.1) | (22) | 0 | (22) |
| T3 Watershed Project | 0.50 | 290 | 0 | 290 |
| Workforce Development | 0.0 | 0 | (400) | (400) |
| Wildland Fire Safety | 0.0 | (250) | 0 | (250) |
| Watershed Resilience Program | (2.0) | 0 | (1,135) | (1,135) |
| Wildland Urban Interface | 0.0 | 0 | 386 | 386 |
| 2025 Policy Other Changes Total | 15.7 | 3,585 | 8,956 | 12,541 |
2025 Policy Comp Changes |
||||
| WFSE General Government | 0.0 | 3,271 | 4,947 | 8,218 |
| Non-Rep Leave | 0.0 | 56 | 46 | 102 |
| Non-Rep General Wage Increase | 0.0 | 1,179 | 1,747 | 2,926 |
| Non-Rep Premium Pay | 0.0 | 111 | 125 | 236 |
| Non-Rep Targeted Pay Increases | 0.0 | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| Updated PEBB Rate | 0.0 | (198) | (384) | (582) |
| PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase | 0.0 | 84 | 161 | 245 |
| Pension Benefit Amortization | 0.0 | (308) | (568) | (876) |
| 2025 Policy Comp Changes Total | 0.0 | 4,234 | 6,074 | 10,308 |
2025 Policy Central Services Changes |
||||
| Archives/Records Management | 0.0 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Audit Services | 0.0 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Legal Services | 0.0 | 162 | 415 | 577 |
| WTS Central Services | 0.0 | 130 | 171 | 301 |
| DES Central Services | 0.0 | 77 | 158 | 235 |
| OFM Central Services | 0.0 | 1,332 | 2,915 | 4,247 |
| GOV Central Services | 0.0 | 15 | 19 | 34 |
| 2025 Policy Central Services Changes Total | 0.0 | 1,725 | 3,685 | 5,410 |
| Total Policy Changes | 15.7 | 9,544 | 18,715 | 28,259 |
| 2025-27 Policy Level | 1,791.7 | 375,429 | 714,500 | 1,089,929 |
| Difference from 2023-25 | 26.8 | 35,706 | (22,213) | 13,493 |
| % Change from 2025-27 Original | 1.5% | 10.5% | (3.0%) | 1.3% |
Policy Changes
Aquatic Resources Conservation Corp
The Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Aquatics Resources Division partners with the Washington Conservation Corps and similar programs to maintain aquatic lands, manage invasive species, and provide aquatic area monitoring and recovery. This item funds crew work to support the protection of aquatic lands and keep recreational access available and safe for the public. (Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account - State, Resource Management Cost Account - State)
FP Adapt Management Program
The Adaptive Management Program was created to provide science-based recommendations and technical information to assist the Forest Practices Board (FPB) in achieving the water quality and habitat goals of the forest practice rules, conducting research according to a work plan approved by the FPB. Funding ensures that the program can carry out the entire scope and scale of the most recently approved work plan. (Forest and Fish Support Account - State)
Conservation Corp Recreation Prog
DNR is provided funding for full-time and seasonal crews from the Washington Conservation Corps and other corps programs to conduct work on state-managed lands, including natural areas restoration and conservation, trail work, and forest resiliency activities, as well as other recreation and habitat projects. (General Fund - State)
Derelict Structures
Aquatic derelict structures are safety hazards, harm nearshore habitat and have the potential to pollute the environment. The department was directed to begin removing or refurbishing such structures and submit qualifying removal projects to the Puget Sound Partnership Nearshore Conservation Credit Program. This item provides the expenditure authority for anticipated revenue from credit sales so the department can reinvest that funding to remove additional structures. (Derelict Structure Removal Account - State)
European Green Crab
The European Green Crab (EGC), an ecologically destructive invasive species, poses a significant threat to vital marine waters in Washington including Puget Sound, Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor. This item will enable the agency to staff, acquire necessary equipment, and implement an annual EGC workplan to safeguard state-owned aquatic lands, such as aquatic reserves, as well as DNR-managed lands like natural areas, natural resources conservation areas, and high-value marine habitats. (Resource Management Cost Account - State)
Dayton Facility Relocation
DNR’s presence at the Dayton Fire Station has begun to interfere with the fire district’s operations, and the site does not include dormitory space for the agency’s seasonal fire personnel. The fire station in Waitsburg has surplus space and dormitory accommodation. DNR plans to move operations to Waitsburg to better support operations during fire season. This proposal funds relocation of fire engines and staff to the Waitsburg fire station and purchases new dormitory furniture. (Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State)
Urban Forest Assistance
Funding provided for support and enhancement of urban and community forests is shifted from the General Fund-state to the Natural Climate Solutions Account. (General Fund - State, Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)
Forest Treatments
A reduction of recently funded forest health treatments focused on making forests more resilient to climate change. The reduction is in response a CCA to a revenue shortfall. (Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)
Statewide Lidar Acquisition&Refresh
State, federal, local, and Tribal governments, along with private businesses, rely on lidar data (which provides precise information about land surface characteristics) from the department to inform natural resource, habitat, land use, forestry, and conservation decisions. This item funds the continued collection of lidar data, allowing for a 10-year statewide data refresh rate. (General Fund - State)
Larch Facility Closure Savings
Closure of the Larch correctional facility required the relocation of DNR’s wildfire work crews. This item removes the net savings from the relocation of the crews and closure of the Larch facility. (General Fund - State)
Legacy Systems Replace & Modernize
DNR uses multiple legacy systems needing modernization including, Cost Allocation System, NaturE-FI, and Financial DataMart, to fully adopt One Washington’s new Foundation Data Model. These system replacements will enable DNR to fully transition from One Washington’s Enterprise Integration Crosswalk by Phase 1B. DNR is provided one-time funding to plan and prepare for these system upgrades. (General Fund - State)
Post Wildland Fire Response
Communities in Washington face increased risks of post-wildfire debris flows due to frequent and intense wildfires, declining forest health, and expanding populations in the Wildland Urban Interface. The department received authority to initiate a post-wildfire debris flow program in 2023 and ongoing funding is provided for this program to continue assessing debris flow potential, monitoring rainfall effects on burned slopes, and modeling debris flow potential to provide early warnings for emergency managers and communities. (Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State)
Recreation Land Maintenance
Funding provided in fiscal year 2022 for recreational lands maintenance, such as maintaining grounds and facilities, trails, restrooms is reduced to provide savings. (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)
T3 Watershed Project
Researchers and forest practitioners are implementing a landscape-scale experiment in the Olympic Experimental State Forest to test forest management strategies that benefit communities, trust beneficiaries, and the environment and give options for uncertain future conditions. The experiment will plant trees and monitor ecological conditions on 2,000 acres and continue the collaboration with stakeholders and Tribes. (General Fund - State)
Workforce Development
A reduction in support for a portion of DNR's forestry workforce development work. The reduction is in response to program demand and a CCA to a revenue shortfall. (Climate Commitment Account - State)
Wildland Fire Safety
DNR received funding in 2023 to improve community preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience to wildland fire health and safety impacts where wildland and urban areas interface. A small reduction of ongoing funding is taken from community Firewise microgrants and community outreach. (General Fund - State)
Watershed Resilience Program
Ongoing funding for the DNR’s Watershed Resilience Program provided in the 2023–25 biennium is removed to provide savings. (Natural Climate Solutions Account - State)
Wildland Urban Interface
The Legislature passed ESB 6120, requiring the department to establish and maintain statewide wildfire hazard and risk maps and mandated that local governments apply specific portions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code for building permits in high-risk areas. This item fully funds the agency to meet the new requirements and maintain wildfire hazard risk maps. (Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - 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. (Forest Development Account - State, General Fund - State, Resource Management Cost Account - State, other funds)
Non-Rep Leave
Funding is provided for staff who are not represented by a union or are not covered by a bargaining agreement that is subject to financial feasibility determination for paid bereavement leave and rest and recovery leave. (Climate Commitment Account - State, General Fund - State, Resource Management Cost Account - 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. (Forest Development Account - State, General Fund - State, Resource Management Cost Account - State, other funds)
Non-Rep Premium Pay
Funding is provided for increases in premium pay for state employees who are not represented by a union or not covered by a bargaining agreement subject to financial feasibility determination. (Climate Commitment Account - State, General Fund - State, Resource Management Cost Account - 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. (General Fund - State)
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. (Air Pollution Control Account - State, Forest and Fish Support Account - State, Forest Practices Application Acct - 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. (Forest Development Account - State, General Fund - State, Resource Management Cost Account - 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. (Derelict Vessel Removal Account - State, Forest and Fish Support Account - State, Forest Practices Application Acct - State, other funds)
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. (Forest Development Account - State, General Fund - State, Resource Management Cost Account - State, other funds)
Audit Services
Adjustments are made for each agency's anticipated cost of audits performed by the State Auditor's Office. (General Fund - State, Resource Management Cost Account - State, Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State, other funds)
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, Resource Management Cost Account - State, Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State, other funds)
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, Resource Management Cost Account - State, Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State, other funds)
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, Resource Management Cost Account - State, Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State, other funds)
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, Resource Management Cost Account - State, Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State, other funds)
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, Resource Management Cost Account - State, Wildfire Resp Forest Restor & Comm - State, other funds)
