Our work is incredibly complex and diverse, and that is reflected in our budget. We use up to 72 separate accounts and are the administrator of 63 of those accounts. Every even-numbered year, we submit a request to the Governor for our capital and operating budgets. These requests support our two-year strategic plan, and each individual budget request is tied to our strategic priorities and statewide performance goals. This ensures our resources support carefully planned and vetted activities and items. In odd-numbered years, we submit supplemental budget requests to address changing needs.
Before a budget is finalized and approved, it goes through several drafts and versions. Below are links to publications and documents relating to our budget for the current and previous budget cycles.
2021-23 biennial budget
As the state’s lead environmental agency, Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations, while valuing and supporting Washington’s economic success. We’re tackling challenges that are unique to our times and require us to take a broad and holistic approach to our work that focuses on not only what we do, but also how we do it. Ecology’s budget for the 2021-23 Biennium supports each of our five strategic goals to:
- Support and engage our communities, customers, and employees.
- Reduce and prepare for climate change impacts.
- Prevent and reduce toxic threats and pollution.
- Protect and manage our state’s waters.
- Protect and restore Puget Sound.
Our deep commitment to environmental justice is tied to each of these goals and guides the ways we work to accomplish them. Read more about our 2021-23 budget.
Putting money to work in our communities
The majority of the money we manage is passed through to communities across the state to be used on environmental projects. Most of this money is provided directly to local governments and communities through grants, loans, and contracts to help them make environmental improvements. Pass-through funds directly create jobs, improve economic development, and protect environmental and public health.
Budget and program overview
The 2021-23 budget & program overview book is a comprehensive overview of our biennial budget that includes where the money comes from, how it will be used, and the goals we have for our work in that biennium.