Ecology’s operating budget request, which includes multiple fund sources, increases appropriations by over $37 million and 40 FTEs. It includes new resources that will:
- Reduce and prevent toxics in consumer products and in local communities.
- Address federal Clean Water Act rollbacks and recent court decisions related to 401 water quality certifications.
- Implement recently enacted legislation consistent with Ecology fiscal notes.
- Increase capacity for developing and implementing water cleanup plans across the state.
- Initiate new water right adjudications in two key basins.
- Help prevent non-attainment of federal clean air standards in several communities.
- Provide funds for local solid waste and hazardous waste management, illegal dumping, and sustainable recycling.
- Advance environmental justice and Title VI compliance in our work.
- Meet Ecology's required $8.9 million General Fund-State (GF-S) reductions options by shifting $8.8 million in existing GF-S appropriations to the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Operating Account, and holding 1.2 existing vacant positions.
An increase of 40 FTEs would bring our total operating FTE count to 1,783.
An increase of $37 million would bring our total appropriations to $636.6 million.
While the overall agency appropriations would increase by $37 million, GF-S overall appropriations would be reduced by over $8 million.
Ecology’s capital budget request for new funding totals over $906 million. This is a very robust request that creates jobs and addresses significant environmental and public health projects and priorities across the state. The specific requests are supported by dedicated environmental funds, federal funds, or state bonds for projects that:
- Improve water quality and stormwater.
- Deliver water for fish, farms, and people.
- Reduce flood risks and restore habitat.
- Address air toxics and other public health issues.
- Clean up and restore toxic sites.
- Protect or restore state-owned facilities.
- Clean up and prevent waste tire piles.
Total new appropriations would be $906.6 million
- State Building Construction Account = $347.4 million
- Dedicated and federal funds = $559.2 million
Capital reappropriations would be $1.34 billion (authority for past biennia capital dollars not yet spent)
As we continue to spend these dollars in the 2019-21 biennium, this reappropriation amount will be reduced.