In total, the proposed budget for natural resources includes about $25.7 million in General Fund savings over the four-year outlook period. These include: 

• Savings from better aligning funding with workload.   
• A partial reduction to $20 million in ongoing funding used for maintenance on recreation lands managed by the departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources.
• A one-time partial reduction of $30 million in ongoing funds for contracts to increase biodiversity and species recovery plans.
• Reductions in support for county and local agricultural fairs.

These reductions are necessary to fund essential items in the natural resources budget, including the following investments.

 

State-Tribal Recreation Impacts Initiative

Funding is provided to assess the ecological health of public lands and support land management strategies that balance conservation and recreation. Capacity is provided to Tribal governments to engage in a collaborative effort that ensures cultural resources and practices are considered and incorporated into recreational management planning.

($1.7 million General Fund-State, $3.4 million Natural Climate Solutions Account)

Environmental justice

The management of natural resources inherently affects Tribes, Tribal treaty rights, and overburdened communities. By increasing staffing to complete environmental justice assessments, as required by the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, and engaging with communities and Tribes, agencies will be aided in addressing historic environmental injustices and complying with federal equity requirements.

($365,000 GF-S, $2.3 million other) 

Invasive species management

Invasive species represent a severe and harmful impact on habitat, infrastructure, and recreational activities. The European Green Crab is an invasive species that poses a threat to marine areas in Washington. Additional capacity is provided for trapping, monitoring, and conducting research to inform long-term strategic management. 

Idaho has confirmed the presence of invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels in the Snake River, so additional resources are provided for prevention activities, response readiness, public awareness, regulatory compliance, and preparation for extended management and mitigation.

($3.6 million GF-S, $3.6 million General Fund-Private/Local, $2.5 million Resource Management Cost Account, $542,000 Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account) 

Salmon recovery

Salmon are critical for Washington’s economy, culture, and communities and vital for Tribal cultures, sovereignty, and treaty rights. Funding is provided for salmon population monitoring, hatchery programs including support for the Toutle and Skamania hatcheries, fish passage permitting, predation mitigation, measuring toxicity in fish, and riparian mapping efforts.

These investments complement capital projects and existing programs to recover endangered salmon and steelhead. 

($7.5 million GF-S, $1.9 million Model Toxics Control Operating Account) 

Hunger relief

The overwhelming demand for food assistance at community-based food banks and food pantries continues to climb, especially for people with lower incomes contending with high food prices. Direct emergency food resources are provided to underserved communities and increased support is offered to hunger relief organizations through the Emergency Food Assistance program.

($93.3 million GF-S)

Eradicate agricultural pests

Harmful pests including moths, Japanese beetles, and spotted lanternfly can have devasting impacts on the state’s forestry, landscaping, and agricultural sectors. Capacity is provided to continue trapping and treatment efforts to eradicate known populations and protect against future invasions. 

($12.0 million GF-S, $1.4 million General Fund-Federal) 

Salmon habitat recovery

The Commission works to conserve natural resources through voluntary and incentive-based collaboration with conservation districts and other partners. This means investing in the Commission’s Science Hub to coordinate science-based management solutions, and in native plant propagation programs to support salmon habitat recovery projects across the state.

($1.0 million GF-S, $1.4 million NCSA) 

Mitigating toxic tire chemicals

The Department of Ecology has been working to address 6PPD and its transformation product, 6PPD-quinone, which is lethal to coho salmon and other aquatic life. Ongoing funding is provided to identify best management practices to treat 6PPD and other tire wear chemicals in stormwater runoff. Funding also continues work to find safer alternatives to 6PPD and conduct alternative assessments for possible replacement chemicals. 

($4.4 million Water Quality Permit Account, $2.2 million MTCOA, $1.9 million Hazardous Waste Assistance Account)

Federal authority for BIL/IRA grants

The Department of Ecology received increased federal funding for environmental and public health initiatives, partially from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. New funding will support water infrastructure improvements, pollution cleanup, and efforts to address the climate crisis across Washington.

($83.6 million GF-F)

PFAS response

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals are toxic to humans and do not break down in the environment. PFAS are used in many products, including waterproof clothing, furniture, food packaging, and firefighting foam. The Department of Ecology will enhance testing and monitoring of PFAS contamination throughout the state to identify sites requiring remediation and areas where clean drinking water is threatened. It will also work to reduce or eliminate the use of PFAS by businesses around the state and research PFAS in stormwater and municipal and industrial wastewater.

($3.9 million MTCOA, $100,000 WQPA)

Litter control and recycling market development

Solid waste generation rates continue to rise, recycling rates have remained stagnant, and litter pollution continues to increase. Investments in the state’s Recycling Market Development Center will help expand recycling markets and processing in Washington. In addition, the Department of Ecology will provide increased financial support to local governments, nonprofits, and state agencies for litter collection and prevention programs, including cleanup of roadways and highway interchanges.

($4 million Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Litter Control Account) 

Post wildland fire response

Frequent and intense wildfires, declining forest health, and expanding human populations next to forests increase the risk of debris flow after a wildfire. The department will continue assessing debris flow potential in recently burned areas, monitoring rainfall effects on burned slopes, and modeling debris flow potential to provide early warnings for emergency managers and communities.

($1.5 million Wildfire Response, Forest Restoration and Community Resilience Account)

Department of Ecology

Remedial Action Grant program 

With help from local governments, this program supports cleanup efforts at contaminated industrial sites that affect the state’s air, land, and water resources, including the continued cleanup of Puget Sound. Funding protects public and environmental health, creates jobs, and promotes economic redevelopment by allowing contaminated properties to be redeveloped. State funds leverage local matching funding.

($52.1 million State Building Construction Account, $28.6 million MTCA)

Clean up toxic sites in Puget Sound 

Funding is provided to clean up contaminated sites in Puget Sound, including in areas with sensitive shoreline habitats. This will protect public and environmental health, create jobs, and promote economic development in the Puget Sound Basin.

($3.2 million MTCA)

Product Replacement program 

This program identifies the sources of the worst chemicals reaching the environment and develops recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate those sources. 

($9 million MTCA)

PFAS Response 

The budget reduces exposure to PFAS by decontaminating fire engines — one of the largest sources of PFAS pollution — conducts sampling to identify contaminated sites, initiates the cleanup process, and provides safe drinking water during cleanups.

($5 million State Building Construction Account)

($1.4 billion in additional salmon projects are included in the Climate section)

Recreation and Conservation Office 

Puget Sound acquisition and restoration 

This funding protects and restore salmon habitat. A large portion of the habitat restoration is for chinook salmon, which provide one of the most critical food sources for Southern Resident orcas.

($50.6 million State Building Construction Account, $10.1 million Natural Climate Solutions Account)

Salmon Recovery Funding Board

This grant program implements the Salmon Recovery Act and provides funding for projects that protect or restore salmon habitat and other salmon recovery programs and activities across the state. This is Washington’s only grant program that focuses exclusively on protecting and restoring salmon habitat statewide. Projects are developed locally and evaluated to determine if and how well they will implement priorities addressed in federally adopted salmon recovery plans.

($25 million State Building Construction Account, $20 million Natural Climate Solutions Account, $80 million federal)

Estuary and Salmon Restoration program

This grant program funds enhanced protection and restoration of Puget Sound’s nearshore, a uniquely critical area for salmon recovery. Local communities throughout Puget Sound and recreational and commercial fishers are impacted by these restoration efforts. Tribes who are working to maintain federally protected Tribal treaty rights benefit from the Estuary and Salmon Restoration program (ESRP) nearshore project implementation.

($7 million State Building Construction Account, $11.1 million Natural Climate Solutions Account)

Washington Coastal Restoration and Resiliency Initiative

This program restores aquatic and terrestrial habitat on the Washington coast to protect salmon populations and provide jobs. Projects strengthen communities through job creation, more work options for local contractors, flood control, access improvement, climate resiliency, and more.

($5.8 million State Building Construction Account)

Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board 

This grant program provides funding to design and construct solutions to fish passage barriers. Completing these projects will restore access to salmon habitat and help rebuild whole salmon populations by opening watersheds.

($31 million State Building Construction Account, $15 million Natural Climate Solutions Account)

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Toutle River Fish Collection Facility

This project will upgrade the Toutle River fish collection facility to meet a 95% passage requirement and provide for safe and more efficient operation and maintenance. This is an 83% federal and 17% state cost-share agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers.

($15.2 million State Building Construction Account)

Other Hatchery expansions and renovations

This category includes multiple hatchery projects statewide, such as Spokane, Palmer Ponds, Kendall Creek, Elwha, Samish Adult Pond, Samish Friday Creek, Minter, Wallace River, Soos Creek, Sol Duc, Beaver Creek, Naselle, and Nemah.

($80 million State Building Construction Account)

Department Natural Resources

Webster Nursery expansion

This project will increase seedling production to meet the demand for post disturbance reforestation efforts and support new initiatives to restore riparian areas and mitigate climate change impacts.

($5.6 million State Building Construction Account)

State Parks and Recreation Commission 

Nisqually new full-service park and day-use improvements

This project continues the next phase of funding for a new full-service park in partnership with the Nisqually Indian Tribe. A new park entrance, campground, and support facilities will be constructed. 

($21.2 million State Building Construction Account)

Klickitat Trail: Suburbia Bridge and Trail

Funding for this trail system will complete the most significant gap in the 31-mile Klickitat Trail in South Central Washington. Key elements include the design and construction of a bridge over the Klickitat River.

($4 million State Building Construction Account)

Moran Campground Renovation and Staff Housing

This project funds design and permitting for campground renovations at the Northend and Midway campgrounds. Project elements include restrooms, utilities, paving, campsites, and other amenities. Housing will also be constructed to serve permanent and seasonal staff working at the park.

($1.8 million State Building Construction Account)

Sun Lakes - Dry Falls Visitor's Center renovation

This project renovates the existing visitor center area, including an enhanced potable water system, provides accessibility improvements to buildings and grounds, and assists in the historic preservation of structures.

($6.4 million State Building Construction Account)

Statewide ADA compliance 

Projects funded in this category complete the design, permitting, and construction of access improvements to achieve ADA compliance for key buildings and landscapes at multiple state parks across Washington. This helps make state parks more accessible for a wide variety of ages and abilities, thus making state park access more equitable.

($3 million State Building Construction Account)

Recreation and Conservation Funding Board

Washington Wildlife and Recreation program

This grant program renovates new local and state parks, protects and restores wildlife habitat, and preserves working farms and forests. Projects funded by this grant program contribute significantly to economic opportunities and a healthier population.

($54 million Outdoor Recreation Account, $12 million Farm and Forest Account, $54 million Habitat Conservation Account)

Nonhighway and off-road vehicle activities 

This grant program develops and manages recreation opportunities for users of nonhighway roads (roads not supported by state fuel taxes), including hikers, equestrians, off-road vehicles, bicyclists, hunters, and other users of nonhighway roads.

($12.2 million NOVA Program Account)

Youth athletics facilities 

This grant program provides grants for projects that improve or renovate community athletic facilities and encourage people to participate in outdoor athletics. Outdoor recreation participation surveys show increasing demand for these facilities, and they tie directly to other public policy efforts to reduce childhood obesity and increase fitness.

($8.5 million State Building Construction Account)

Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities 

This grant program funds the acquisition of, improvements to, or renovation of outdoor athletic facilities to increase availability for competitive play. The program focuses on youth athletics in communities that lack recreational opportunities, have underserved populations, and possess limited financial capacity.

($7.5 million State Building Construction Account)