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A projected statewide revenue shortfall in the 2009-11 Biennium has resulted in budget cuts for many state agencies, including the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Under the operating budget recently adopted by the 2009 Legislature, WDFW’s operating budget will be reduced by $21 million for the coming two years. At the same time, the department’s capital budget has been cut in half from 2007-09 levels.
See more information here.
Spending by fishers, hunters and wildlife watchers generates more
than $6.7 billion annually for Washington state’s economy. Many of the
dollars they spend support small businesses and rural communities, keeping
cash registers ringing in restaurants, motels, gas stations, convenience stores
and sporting goods outlets.
Some 40 percent of Washingtonians participate in the outdoor economy by
fishing, hunting or actively observing wildlife, according to a national survey by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Commercial fisheries, meanwhile,
generate an average of $3.8 billion here annually by the time their
catch is processed, distributed through wholesalers and sold in
retail markets or served in restaurants.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is the
state agency charged with protecting native fish and wildlife,
and providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing
opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.
Working throughout the state, WDFW’s 1,385 employees—field
biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians and
customer service staff—manage hundreds of species, maintain
nearly a million acres of public lands and serve the public.
(Archival Information)
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) budget is comprised of four funding categories including the state General Fund, the state Wildlife Account, federal funds and private/local funds.
WDFW’s 2007-09 biennial operating budget is $348 million. About 50 percent of the operating budget comes from federal, local and private funds for contracts and services. The state General Fund provides about 30 percent of the WDFW’s operating budget, and the state Wildlife Account makes up the remaining 20 percent of the operating budget. The Wildlife Account is comprised of recreational hunting and fishing license sale proceeds. WDFW also received about $78 million in capital funds in the 2007-09 biennium.
WDFW’s budget includes dozens of dedicated sub-accounts—funds with specifically defined uses.
A significant budget reduction is anticipated in the 2009-11 biennium, due to expected shortfalls in the state General Fund and the Wildlife Account.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed a $30 million reduction in WDFW’s 2009-11 budget. The governor’s proposed WDFW budget can be viewed at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget09/highlights/#naturalresources .
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