Sustainable Energy and a Clean Environment

This activity provides executive leadership for all agency operations and oversees financial accountability, human resource management, information technology services, facilities management, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, and public disclosure on an agency-wide basis. This activity represents the "overhead" portion of administrative functions; the remainder is distributed as "indirect" to all DNR activities.

Camps provide trained crews for emergency fire suppression, recreation facility improvements, community projects, forest health improvement projects and state land management activities. The camps are managed in coordination with training and rehabilitation goals of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

This activity suppresses fires on about 13 million acres of private and state forestlands protected by DNR. Provides training for interagency firefighters, including incident-management team members, seasonal firefighters, and permanent fireline-rated personnel. Also maintains fire-training records for fire district and department personnel in the incident qualification system. Provides basic safety training to contractors prior to employment in wildfire suppression. Synchronizes Helitak crew readiness.

Reduces human caused forest fires by regulating industrial activities and silvicultural burning, establishing fire danger levels and guidance for burn restrictions and bans. Maintains a sustainable Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) network. Maintain, create and implement prevention education and fire prevention plans. Coordinate and oversee Forest Fire Protection Assessments.

This activity suppresses fires on about 13 million acres of private and state forest lands protected by DNR.

The Forest Practices program implements forest practice rules and regulations and conducts enforcement activities on non-federal forest lands. The Forest Practices Program develops and issues forest practices operational guidance; reviews, conditions, approves, and enforces forest practices applications; ensures road maintenance and abandonment plans extension work is being completed; supports the Regions on appeal work; conducts internal and external training; supports the Forest Practices Board; conducts rulemaking as directed by the Forest Practices Board; and develops and updates the Forest Practices Board Manual including rules affecting industrial and small forest landowners.

This activity produces technical information and science based recommendations to assist the Forest Practices Board in determining if and when it is necessary or advisable to adjust forest practices rules and guidance in order to achieve Forests and Fish goals, resource objectives, and performance targets. This is a required component of the State’s Forest Practices and Fish Habitat Conservation Plan.

The Small Forest Landowner Office (SFLO) improves the economic vitality and environmental quality of small forestland holdings. This is accomplished by providing expertise and technical assistance; assisting with development of alternate management and harvest plans, managing the purchase of conservation easements from small forest landowners under the Forestry Riparian Easement Program; and elimination of barriers to fish habitat through the Family Forest Fish Passage Program. The SFLO also manages the Rivers and Habitat Open Space Program (RHOSP). RHOSP purchases conservation easements from eligible forest landowners for the preservation of channel migration zones and critical habitat (state) for threatened and endangered species.

Washington State’s geologic conditions can be hazardous to the public and negatively affect the economy; this activity identifies and documents geology and volcanic, earthquake, tsunami, and landslide hazards. The activity develops and publishes tsunami inundation and evacuation maps, landslide hazard maps, earthquake liquefaction maps, and volcanic lahar maps used by the public, local government, state agencies such as Emergency Management Division and Department of Transportation for response and planning purposes to mitigate social and economic losses. The identification and description of geological resources such as geothermal energy or aggregate resources and geologic hazards begin with a geologic map before the derivative resource or hazard maps can be prepared. This activity provides for the collection of highly accurate LiDAR data for geologic and hazard mapping as well as a repository of accurate, high quality elevation data for use by all state, local, and public entities. This activity maps specific locations selected by the State Geologist, with advice from the State Map Advisory Committee.

This activity evaluates and issues reclamation permits and performs compliance at surface mines, provides technical assistance to operators, and consults with other agencies with jurisdiction on surface mine and metal mine projects. The Department serves as the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) lead agency for some surface mining actions. The program also issues oil and gas and geothermal well drilling permits, seismic survey permits, and serves as lead agency for SEPA compliance on these permits. Activities include processing permit applications and reviewing reports submitted by the permit holders describing their activities.

This activity includes maintenance activities and operational support for more than 160,000 acres of Natural Areas Preserves (NAPs) and Natural Resources Conservation Areas (NRCAs). The Natural Areas Program maintains and restores the conservation values of NAPs and NRCAs in critical and at risk habitats, such as Puget Sound shorelines, protecting native ecosystems and rare plants and animal species, while providing research and environmental education opportunities and, where appropriate, low-impact public uses.

The Natural Heritage Program maintains scientific information and data on Washington's native ecosystem and rare plant and animal species to help ensure the protection and maintenance of Washington’s natural diversity. It maintains a listing of the most imperiled and rare native species and ecosystem types and assigns conservation priorities to each species and ecosystem. It also supports informed decisions (e.g. GMA decisions and forest certifications) by natural resource managers, planners, and businesses and consults on the impact of land use and land management activities on the state's plants, animals, and natural communities.

Through extensive involvement from recreation groups, volunteers, and the expertise of Recreation Program staff, DNR utilizes a multi-stakeholder integrated approach to provide recreational opportunities on department managed lands. We manage recreation across 3.3 million acres of state trust lands. We operate and maintain over 160 recreation sites and more than 1,200 miles of trails across the state. DNR competes for grant funding, when available, in order to successfully accomplish site and trail maintenance, restoration, and enhancement projects. Additionally, the recreation program receives fuel tax proceeds and a percentage of Discover Pass sales.

DNR Police protects trust assets and public safety. They promotes and monitor safe access to department-managed lands and facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreation. Natural Resources Police Officers (NRPO’s) provide enforcement on over 160 recreation sites and more than 1,100 miles of trails across the state. They also work collaboratively with other state and local enforcement agencies to provide seamless coverage. The majority of NRPO time is devoted to detection and/or apprehension of persons committing infractions or violating traffic and criminal laws.

This activity provides direction and management for the region-based product sales program, including planning, marketing, presales, cruising, and contract administration. Sustained non-tax revenue generated from state trust land timber sales and biomass conversion supports trust beneficiaries, including the common school construction fund, universities and timber counties.

DNR manages more than 2,000 agricultural leases on one million acres of trust lands leased as ranches, family farms, or offered for grazing. The Department also manages another 1000 leases for wind power; rock, sand, gravel, and minerals; communication sites; commercial real estate. The DNR has acquired more than 2,900 easements for managing state trust lands and has granted more than 7,900 rights-of-way to others who want access across state lands. Sustained non-tax revenue generated from leases and rights-of-way that supports trust beneficiaries, including the common school construction fund, universities and timber counties.

This activity develops silvicultural prescriptions and applies forest stand treatments on 2.1 million acres of forested state trust lands. It manages forest stand regeneration on harvested state lands, and stand management activities including vegetation control and precommercial thinning. Silvicultural prescriptions applied to forested state trust lands ensure future healthy forests, and reforestation of all harvested areas ensures availability of state forests in the future. DNR grows seedlings for replanting forested state trust lands and for sale to the public. DNR also manages seed orchard and seed collection/extraction/storage programs in order to meet reforestation requirements and ensure future forests are well-adapted and genetically diverse. DNR monitors performance and implementation of the state trust lands habitat conservation plan (HCP) and other program guidelines.

DNR completes and implements a sustainable harvest calculation for eastern and western Washington. DNR provides inventory and site information for forested state trust lands and develops landscape/watershed/basin level forest plans. DNR provides scientific support for policies and resource management programs to ensure sustainable resources on state lands, including threatened and endangered species, riparian areas for water quality, archeological and historical sites, and protection of unstable slopes. DNR monitors the effectiveness of HCP conservation strategies in producing anticipated habitat conditions. Research is conducted to provide information pertinent to HCP strategies and adaptive management. DNR maintains green certification across 2.1 million acres of forested state trust lands.

This program is responsible for providing professional surveying and mapping services for the management of state lands. It also is responsible for acquiring surveying and mapping products used for land management and natural resource protection. These products are available for DNR resource management and protection activities, other government agencies, businesses, and the public. Statewide aerial imagery is acquired for use by DNR and made available through the state portal to other state agencies. This program also provides staff support to the Board of Geographic Names. This program provides a statewide database for the identification and preservation of survey maps for use in the monumentation of property boundaries in the state. Activities include maintaining a statewide survey records repository; providing research material to government, the public, and survey professionals; providing on-the-ground technical property boundary support to DNR land management activities; and maintaining the official Cadastre for ownership and encumbrance records for DNR upland and aquatic land management.

The Department manages the existing state forest road system (approximately 14,000 miles), providing access to DNR lands for forest management activities; develops standards and tools for road and bridge design and construction; administers natural resource engineering public works contracts; and provides forest engineering expertise and support to state lands programs.

This program protects and enhances the value of State Trust Lands, conservation lands and Community Forest Trust lands through strategic property transactions. Using land sales, purchases, transfers, and exchanges, the program improves the financial performance of State Trust Lands while also meeting conservation and recreation goals. Through state and federal grant programs, including the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Forest Legacy, and Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, this program protects ecologically significant lands and working forests threatened by conversion to other uses. Through strategic work with local community interests, the DNR will protect forest landscapes through the Community Forest Trust program. This enables DNR to establish a statewide system of natural areas, meet the goals of DNR's Policies for Sustainable Forests and Habitat Conservation Plan, and maintain working natural resource landscapes.

This activity authorizes uses of state-owned aquatic lands that encourage public access, are water-dependent, protect the environment, use renewable resources, and generate revenue. DNR contracts with public and private entities across the state through leases and port management agreements. The Department asserts state ownership, identifies appropriate transaction opportunities, applies leasing conditions to ensure habitat protection based on sound science, and maintains ownership and encumbrance data for state-owned aquatic lands.

This program oversees the commercial harvest of the state wildstock geoduck resource and represents proprietary and resource co-manager interests in state-tribal shellfish management. Activities include managing the harvest of the state's share of the geoduck annual total allowable catch; representing the Department on state-tribal shellfish harvest agreements; working with co-managers and lessees to protect shellfish resources and ensure environmental protection; conducting auctions to maximize state revenues; and conducting market research and economic analysis.

This activity ensures environmental protection in marine and aquatic ecosystems by conducting restoration activities, removing derelict vessels, managing dredged materials, collaborating on regulator-led cleanup of contaminated sediments, controlling invasive species, designating and managing aquatic reserves, and supporting the Puget Sound Partnership Action Agenda.

This activity tracks temporal trends in eelgrass, floating kelp, and intertidal biotic communities in support of Puget Sound’s health and recovery. This activity also monitors changing ocean conditions and impacts from climate change and ocean acidification.

Forest Insect & Disease - statewide annual monitoring for forest insect and disease conditions; provides education, technical and financial assistance to state and private forest landowners and managers in efforts to improve optimal forest health conditions and resilience. Urban & Community Forestry - statewide coordinated technical, educational and financial assistance to communities and cities to help establish locally-funded, supported, and maintained urban forestry programs to enhance stormwater mitigation, greenspace enhancement/protection, improved quality of life and health for Washington’s urban area residents. Community Wildfire & Resilience Preparedness – supports the development and implementation of community-based action plans such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans; provides technical assistance to communities seeking to attain Firewise USA ® recognition, Fire Adapted Community status and implementation of defensible space actions; and by implementing prioritized forest management treatments to reduce hazardous fuel conditions in community settings. Forest Health & Resiliency Landowner Assistance - statewide coordinated technical, educational and cost-share assistance to private non-industrial forest landowners; assists landowners identify their land management vision and objectives, develop a plan and identify cost-share opportunities to conduct active management, as well as improve understanding of current forest conditions and future forest management needs to ensure optimal forest health and resiliency. Prescribed Fire – develop and implement statewide program with an emphasis in fire-prone ecosystems of the state. The Forest Health Program implements the requirements of SB 5546, Forest Health Assessment and Treatment Framework, passed in 2017. SB 5546 directs DNR to build on the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan process to 1) develop an assessment and treatment framework designed to proactively and systematically address the forest health issues facing the state, and 2) endeavor to assess and treat one million acres of land by 2033. This includes: identifying and assessing each biennium two hundred thousand acres of fire prone lands and communities that are in need in of forest health treatment; identifying the types and costs of treatments, data and planning needs to carry out recommended treatments; developing an appropriations request to the Legislature with a prioritized list of treatments and completing a report summarizing previous treatments and any implementation barriers.

This activity contains payments the department makes to other State of Washington agencies, including Attorney General, Department of Enterprise Services, State Auditor, Secretary of State, and Consolidated Technology Services. This activity also includes the GF-State appropriation that is deposited into the agricultural college trust management account for the management of Washington State University’s agricultural college trust lands.

This activity protects and enhances the value of Community Forest Trust lands managed by the department. This activity includes maintenance activities and operational support for more than 55,000 acres of existing community forests, with an emphasis on self-sustaining, active forest management as well as recreation. It requires a community working forest management plan developed by the department and local partners.

Provide training for agency firefighters, including incident-management team members, seasonal firefighters, and permanent fireline-rated personnel. Also maintains fire training records for fire district and department personnel in the incident qualification system.

SB 5546, Forest Health Assessment and Treatment Framework (passed in 2017) - SB 5546 directs DNR to build on the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan process to 1) develop an assessment and treatment framework designed to proactively and systematically address the forest health issues facing the state, and 2) endeavor to assess and treat one million acres of land by 2033; the DNR has committed to treating 1.25 million acres of unhealthy forest by 2037. This includes: identifying and assessing each biennium two hundred thousand acres of fire prone lands and communities that are in need of forest health improvement treatment; identifying the types and costs of treatments, data and planning needs to carry out recommended treatments; developing an appropriations request to the Legislature with a prioritized list of treatments and completing a report summarizing previous treatments and any implementation barriers each biennium (due December even year). Statewide Forest Action Plan – Congress, through the 2008 Farm Bill, required states to assess the condition of trees and forests within their boundaries, regardless of ownership, and develop strategies to: conserve working forest landscapes, protect forests from harm, and enhance public benefits from trees and forests. These plans are required to be updated every 5 years and every 10 years must be more fully revised – the next revision is due June 30, 2020. These plans are required for WA to continue receiving federal monies to be invested in our state and private forestry programs which includes State Fire Assistance, Forest Legacy, Forest Stewardship, Urban & Community Forestry, Volunteer Fire Assistance, and Landscape Scale Restoration.

The Federal Lands Program supports planning and implementation of federal forestland, watershed, and rangeland restoration across Washington on National Forest Lands and Bureau of Land Management lands. The program was established in late 2018, prior to which there was no formalized function for the department to implement projects on federal lands. For the 19-21 biennium the program is beginning implementation of the Expected Results to treat on average 10,000 acres of federal land that contribute to meeting the1.25 million acres treated (forest thinning, surface fuel mitigation, prescribed fire etc.) by 2037 as outlined in the 20-Year Forest Health Strategy; and annually produce 20,000 MMBF statewide from federal restoration projects on each major national forest in Washington.