Governor Gregoire's Budget for Natural Resources
“Our natural environment is essential to our economy and our quality of life, providing good jobs and recreation for Washington families.”
Keeps our environment clean
Protects and restores Puget Sound. Based on the priorities of the Puget Sound Partnership, strengthens policies and targets investments to protect and restore essential fish and wildlife habitat, speeds up control and cleanup of pervasive toxics and areas with immediate septic problems, reduces polluted stormwater runoff and creates a citizen partnership. $8.4 million GF-State, $211.7 million other funds
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Cleans up & prevents toxic pollution. Cleans up over 60 contaminated sites within a half-mile of Puget Sound. Phases out use of toxic flame retardants, which are rapidly contaminating sediments and finding their way into fish and people. $54.7 million
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Restores damaged shorelines. Provides salmon habitat, restores shorelines to more natural conditions, removes creosote logs and removes abandoned vessels. $37.4 million
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Reduces stormwater runoff. Helps cities and counties meet new standards to improve stormwater management, retrofit old stormwater systems and pilot low-impact development techniques that reduce the amount of toxic stormwater runoff after heavy rains. $25.3 million
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Cleans up septic pollution. Invests in a public-private partnership to help homeowners upgrade failing septic systems and help local governments improve septic system programs. Wastewater treatment will be improved, along with water reuse projects. Ensures shellfish protection plans are implemented and reopens shellfish beds that have been closed due to failing septics. $56.3 million
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Protects essential habitat. Protects riparian areas, floodplains, forested habitats and marine shorelines and enforces state and local protection laws. $40.7 million
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Promotes citizen partnership. Works with local community organizations to promote environmental activities, outreach and education. $5.8 million
Supports jobs and recreation
Keeps farms and forests profitable and productive. Creates a comprehensive Working Lands Initiative. Develops a long-term strategy for the future of the agriculture and food processing industries. Helps local governments and landowners protect working farms and forests from encroaching development. Helps farmers and ranchers use conservation practices that allow them to operate profitably and meet environmental needs. Expands the Washington State University Cooperative Extension research and support program. Increases regulatory certainty for family forest landowners with long-term forest management plans and permits. Addresses elk damage on farmlands and grazing monitoring on state lands. Aggressively markets Washington agricultural products by more than doubling the “Heart of Washington” campaign. $8.9 million GF-State, $10.3 million other funds
Invests in state parks. Improves drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, restrooms, showers and other park structures to help State Parks prepare for its 2013 Centennial. Replaces outdated park vehicles and equipment. $5.8 million GF-State, $48.5 million Capital, $34.5 million other funds
Makes fish hatcheries work for wild salmon. Continues changes in hatchery practices and facilities to protect wild salmon stocks, based on a scientific review of salmon and steelhead hatcheries. $2.8 million GF-State, $10.6 million other funds
Supports Washington Wildlife and Recreation. Develops sites for wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. Includes local and state parks, water access, trails, critical wildlife habitat, natural areas, urban wildlife habitat, farmlands, riparian, state parks development and state parks restoration. $70 million Capital
Invests in energy independence
Turns more crops and biomass waste into energy. Helps farmers convert farm products such as wheat stubble, wood, mustard, canola and cow manure into energy for local communities. Focuses on short-term results as well as on building the long-term capacity to lead the way in alternative energy. $4 million GF-State, $1.3 million other funds
Ensures fuel quality. Tests and evaluates fuel quality to ensure that alternative fuels like ethanol and biodiesel meet the high standards required in Washington. $1 million Motor Vehicle Account, $500,000 Energy Freedom Account