Operating budget: $1.074 billion and 2,281.5 FTEs
Maintenance level
Maintenance level appropriations include funding for Ecology’s staff and administration, environmental grants supporting cleanup education, recycling, and waste management, as well as access to Emergency Drought Response Account funds when a drought declaration is issued.
Reductions
This budget reflects one-time and ongoing funding reductions due to lower Climate Commitment Act revenue. These cuts will slow progress on Climate Commitment Act implementation, surface water mapping, and support for coastal hazard planning. Funding is also reduced for Tribal capacity and food waste reduction grants.
Fund shifts
To help manage the state General Fund shortfall, this budget shifts funding for some activities from the state General Fund to other dedicated accounts; some are one-time shifts, and some are ongoing.
Reduce and Prepare for Climate Impacts
The budget provides support for Ecology’s collaboration with California on a new Washington Fuels Reporting System, and support to implement HB 1975 and HB 1409, including rulemaking, compliance activities, and analysis of markets for Climate Commitment Act allowances and clean fuel credits.
Prevent and Reduce Waste, Toxic Threats, and Pollution
Funding supports continued research and monitoring of 6PPD-Q, addressing PFAS contamination, investments in recycling, and Hanford Site cleanup.
Protect and Manage Our State’s Waters
Funding supports Ecology in helping local governments meet new climate resilience and environmental justice requirements under the Growth Management Act, including technical assistance and shoreline program updates. Additional staff will also manage increased permitting responsibilities for shellfish aquaculture projects to protect water quality and ensure compliance.
Other
Funding supports implementation of environmental justice requirements under the HEAL Act and other mandates; advancing climate resilience, pollution reduction, and clean transportation initiatives; and air quality improvements and monitoring in communities near a large warehouse facility in South Tacoma.
Capital budget: $1.682 billion
Protect and Manage Our State’s Waters
Funding in the capital budget supports:
- Awarding grants for stormwater retrofits, nonpoint pollution control, and flood hazard reduction projects.
- Helping Puget Sound municipalities in reducing nutrient discharges and offsetting financial impacts related to required infrastructure improvements.
- Managing toxic algae blooms and invasive aquatic plants, water storage, habitat improvements, streamflow monitoring, and other watershed-based projects.
- Offering grants and loans to help local governments, Tribes, and special districts to plan and construct water pollution control facilities.
Transportation Budget
Prevent and Reduce Waste, Toxic Threats, and Pollution
Funding supports pass-through grants to Washington school districts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect communities from diesel pollution by replacing fossil-fueled buses with electric models through the Clean Diesel Grant Program. Additional funding is provided for environmental impact assessments of alternative jet fuel production and distribution infrastructure.
