Department of Fish and Wildlife

  Average Annual FTEs Near General Fund State Other Funds Total Funds
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Current Budget 1,540.6 138,370 378,076 516,446
2019-21 Maintenance Level 1,540.6 145,565 370,567 516,132
Difference from 2017-19 0.0 7,195 (7,509) (314)
% Change from 2017-19 0.0% 5.2% (2.0%) (0.1%)

2019-21 Policy Other Changes

Adjust Operating Budget Support 0.0 (500) 500 0
Federal Apportionment Programs 0.0 1,128 (1,128) 0
Police RMS Project Completion 1.0 2,027 0 2,027
Pollinator Health Legislation 0.50 147 0 147
Maintain Wildlife Conflict Response 3.6 955 0 955
Maintain Shellfish & Public Safety 1.6 553 0 553
Maintain Land Management 2.2 578 0 578
Maintain Fishing and Hatcheries 6.9 0 2,057 2,057
Maintain Hunting 2.7 0 673 673
Maintain Conservation 2.6 743 0 743
Maintain Columbia River Endorsement 2.5 (671) 1,503 832
Maintain Customer Service 2.8 0 410 410
Monitor North of Falcon Fishery 8.9 861 861 1,722
Monitor Skagit Steelhead Fishery 1.8 274 274 548
Post-fire Habitat Recovery 0.30 517 0 517
Columbia River Pinniped Predation 3.3 924 0 924
Columbia River Salmon Policy 1.1 573 0 573
Coexisting Whales & Crab Fisheries 0.50 0 172 172
Fish Washington Mobile Application 0.90 0 311 311
Northern Pike Suppression 1.5 0 357 357
Orca Vessels Grant Match 0.0 278 0 278
Orca Vessel Patrols 0.50 225 0 225
2019-21 Policy Other Changes Total 45.2 8,612 5,990 14,602

2019-21 Policy Comp Changes

PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase 0.0 13 31 44
2019-21 Policy Comp Changes Total 0.0 13 31 44

2019-21 Policy Central Services Changes

Archives/Records Management 0.0 1 3 4
Attorney General 0.0 17 64 81
DES Central Services 0.0 5 21 26
OFM Central Services 0.0 83 315 398
2019-21 Policy Central Services Changes Total 0.0 106 403 509
Total Policy Changes 45.2 8,731 6,424 15,155
2019-21 Policy Level 1,585.8 154,296 376,991 531,287
Difference from 2017-19 45.2 15,926 (1,085) 14,841
% Change from 2017-19 2.9% 11.5% (0.3%) 2.9%

Policy Changes

Attorney General

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of legal service charges from the Attorney General’s Office. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State, other funds)

DES Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency’s anticipated share of charges from the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for campus rent, utilities, parking, and contracts; capital project surcharges; financing cost recovery; public and historic facilities; real estate services; risk management services; personnel service rates; the Perry Street child care center; small agency services; and the department’s enterprise applications. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State, other funds)

OFM Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency’s anticipated share of charges from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) for statewide financial applications, One Washington, and other OFM central services. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State, other funds)

Adjust Operating Budget Support

Contingent upon passage of proposed legislation, funding is shifted to the State Wildlife Account to reduce costs to the General Fund-State as a result of new revenue from an increase in fishing and hunting licenses starting July 1, 2020. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Federal Apportionment Programs

Funding is shifted to support cost-of-living adjustments, targeted salary increases, and central service costs that cannot be absorbed by the Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson, and State Wildlife Grants federal apportionment programs. This work is supported in fiscal year 2021 contingent upon the passage of proposed legislation to increase recreational fishing and hunting license fees. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Police RMS Project Completion

The Department of Fish and Wildlife successfully completed a feasibility study on how to build a modern and secure enforcement records management and dispatch system. The department will contract with a new vendor to build a new system that meets security audit findings by the State Auditor and the federal Office of Cyber Security. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Pollinator Health Legislation

Funding is provided to update agency policies and procedures to prioritize habitat for pollinators on Department of Fish and Wildlife lands and to enable staff to participate in the Pollinator Health Task Force created in Chapter 353, Laws of 2019 (Substitute Senate Bill 5552). (General Fund - State)

Maintain Wildlife Conflict Response

The department responds to human interactions with dangerous wildlife such as bear, cougar, moose, and wolf. Law enforcement and wildlife conflict specialists work with the public and private landowners to address safety issues and mitigate crop damage from elk and deer. As human populations grow throughout the state, conflicts between humans and wildlife continue to increase. The department will continue to work with the public on wildlife conflicts and preserve current levels of service from law enforcement officers and wildlife conflict specialists. (General Fund - State)

Maintain Shellfish & Public Safety

Shellfish aquaculture generates over $270 million of economic activity and 3,200 jobs annually in Washington State. Inspection of shellfish beds is required to meet federal and state health and safety standards. The department conducts on-water patrols of shellfish beds to ensure standards are followed and shellfish products are sanitary and safe for public consumption and export. The department previously conducted this work on behalf of the Department of Health without direct funding support. This item maintains the necessary funding. (General Fund - State)

Maintain Land Management

The department manages 33 designated wildlife areas and 700 water access sites across the state for wildlife conservation; recreational use such as fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing; and local economic activity, such as timber, farming, and ranching. This funding enables the department to continue current land management practices that will maintain biological integrity, provide public access, and generate revenue from sustainable practices. (General Fund - State)

Maintain Fishing and Hatcheries

Recreational and commercial fisheries generate $540 million in economic benefit to local and state economies and supports over 16,000 jobs. Managing these fisheries requires significant coordination with tribal co-managers, federal regulatory agencies, and negotiations with other states and Canada. Contingent upon passage of proposed legislation to increase recreational fishing license fees, the department will continue to provide fishing opportunities and protect threatened and endangered wild fish species. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Maintain Hunting

Approximately 190,000 people hunt in Washington state. Contingent upon passage of proposed legislation to increase hunting license fees, funding is provided to maintain current hunting opportunities. The department's hunting program will continue to manage game species for sustainable harvest opportunities, monitor for animal diseases, educate new hunters on safe and ethical hunting practices, and set and enforce hunting seasons. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Maintain Conservation

The department's habitat program provides scientific technical assistance on habitat conservation and land use planning and regulatory oversight of the Hydraulics Act. The department is provided funding to continue to preserve current levels of service provided by the habitat program including applying science to land use decisions, conducting large-scale restoration activities, integrating climate science into wildlife and land management, evaluating the status of species of concern, managing aquatic invasive species, and removing derelict fishing gear and shellfish pots. (General Fund - State)

Maintain Columbia River Endorsement

Contingent upon passage of proposed legislation to renew the Columbia River Recreational Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement program, the department will maintain current activities that sustain and expand salmon and steelhead fisheries in the Columbia River. Activities to support this fishery include enforcement, scientific research, data collection and evaluation. (Col Riv Salmon/Steelhead Endrsmnt - Non-Appropriated, General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Maintain Customer Service

Contingent upon passage of proposed legislation to increase recreational fishing and hunting license fees, funding is provided to answer and respond to calls from the public seeking information about wildlife, commercial fishing licenses, recreational fishing and hunting licenses, Discover passes, and outdoor recreation opportunities. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Monitor North of Falcon Fishery

Each year state, federal and tribal fishery managers plan the Northwest's recreational and commercial salmon fisheries. The negotiations are known as the North of Falcon process. As part of Washington's commitment in the 2019 process, funds are provided for the department to increase monitoring of salmon runs, conduct a predator study in Lake Washington Ship Canal and accelerate processing catch record cards. This information will be used to conduct modeling coast wide to help determine fishery impacts and fair sharing of salmon resources. This work is supported in fiscal year 2021, contingent upon passage of proposed legislation to increase recreational fishing license fees. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Monitor Skagit Steelhead Fishery

Wild steelhead are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Funding is provided to monitor wild steelhead populations in the Skagit River to allow for a limited catch and release recreational fishery. This work is supported in fiscal year 2021 contingent upon passage of proposed legislation to increase recreational fishing license fees. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Post-fire Habitat Recovery

From May through October of 2019, wildfires extensively damaged habitat and facilities in several department wildlife areas throughout eastern Washington. Habitat recovery of damaged areas is critical to reestablish native vegetation and prevent noxious weed infestations. This funding provides for the department to conduct habitat restoration associated with the 2019 wildfire season. (General Fund - State)

Columbia River Pinniped Predation

Every year, sea lions consume thousands of migrating salmon and steelhead along the Columbia River, many from runs listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The salmon and steelhead consumed by pinnipeds are no longer available for fishing opportunities, and their offspring will no longer feed the declining Southern Resident orca which relies on these fish as its primary food source. Pending approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will reduce pinniped predation by increasing lethal removal of sea lions in the Columbia River. This action will address recommendations in the Governor's Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force final report. (General Fund - State)

Columbia River Salmon Policy

At the direction of the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the department will develop alternative gear methods for the commercial gill net fishery and a draft a plan to reduce the number of commercial gill net licenses on the Columbia River. The department must consult with the state of Oregon and commercial gill net license holders on development of alternative gear and any proposed license reduction program. A report to is due by December 1, 2020. (General Fund - State)

Coexisting Whales & Crab Fisheries

Humpback whales feed off Washington’s coastal waters in the summertime and have been getting tangled in crabbing gear. Two species of humpbacks traveling through Washington waters are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Entanglement places a risk to the Dungeness crab fishery. The department is provided funding to work with the Washington Whale Working Group and crab fishery participants on conservation measures to ensure ongoing compliance with federal restrictions with the goal of retaining a robust commerical crab fishery. (General Fund - State, WA Coast Crab Pot Buoy Tag Account - Non-Appropriated)

Fish Washington Mobile Application

Contingent upon passage of proposed legislation to increase recreational fishing license fees, the department is provided funds to maintain the Fish Washington mobile device application which provides real-time information to anglers on fishing opportunities and closures. (General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State)

Northern Pike Suppression

Northern Pike are known to prey on adult salmon if they are introduced into salmon bearing rivers. Recent surveys have identified Northern Pike in Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam in the Columbia River. If Northern Pike escape below the dam, they will be a threat to salmon recovery efforts in the upper Columbia and further downstream. In consultation with area tribes, the department will conduct suppression, eradication, and monitoring of Northern Pike to reduce threats to salmon. This action will address recommendations in the Governor's Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force final report. (Aquatic Invasive Species Mngmt Acct - State, General Fund - State)

Orca Vessels Grant Match

Funding is provided to purchase two law enforcement vessels and equip them with optic system equipment to conduct marine patrols, including vessel enforcement patrols related to Southern Resident orcas. State funds will be used as match to a federal grant secured by the department in September 2019. (General Fund - State)

Orca Vessel Patrols

This item increases enforcement patrols of commercial and recreational vessels in central and southern Puget Sound to reduce disturbance of Southern Resident orcas. This action will address recommendations in the Governor's Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force final report. (General Fund - State)

PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase

For eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members, this item provides an increase of 1.5 percent, up to a maximum of $22 per month. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State, other funds)

Archives/Records Management

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency’s anticipated share of state archiving and state records center costs from the Secretary of State’s Office. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, State Wildlife Account - State, other funds)