Ecology's budget
Our work is incredibly complex and diverse, and that is reflected in our budget. We use up to 72 separate accounts and are the official administrator of 64 of those accounts. Every even-numbered year, we submit a request to the Governor for our capital and operating budgets. These requests support our five-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 work items. In odd-numbered years, we submit supplemental budget requests to address changing needs.
Before a state budget is finalized and approved, it goes through several drafts and versions. Below are links to publications and documents relating to Ecology's budget for the current and previous budget cycles.
2025-27 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. Through innovative partnerships, we are able to protect and sustain healthy land, air, and water in harmony with a strong economy. And we take great care to develop strategic plans that have a broad and holistic approach to what we do and how we do it. Ecology’s budget for the 2025-27 biennium supports each of our strategic goals to:
- Support and engage our communities, customers, and employees.
- Reduce and prepare for climate impacts.
- Prevent and reduce waste, toxic threats, and pollution.
- Protect and manage our state’s waters.
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 2025-27 budget.
Budget and program overview
The budget and program overview book provides a comprehensive overview of our biennial budget and details funding sources, planned expenditures, and the goals guiding our work during the biennium. Read the 2025-27 budget and program overview book.
Putting money to work in 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.
Hangman Creek - 350 acres of new streamside vegetation is improving water quality
The Hangman Creek watershed is changing, and we don’t mean changing from summer to fall. After five years and $9 million in state funding, trees and shrubs planted along the streambanks are growing. These are the critical signs of the healthier watershed that is on the way. Much of this progress is due to our innovative pilot program that is helping an increasing number of producers protect water quality while conserving their soil. Learn more by watching the video.
Contact information
Diane Schenk
Financial Services Mgmt. Analyst
diane.schenk@ecy.wa.gov
360-970-2688
Garret Ward
Chief Financial Officer
garret.ward@ecy.wa.gov
360-789-7938