Statement on Fish and Wildlife funding in 2020 budget
Conservation Northwest / Mar 12, 2020 / News Releases, WDFW
The Washington State Legislature has provided the Department of Fish and Wildlife with $27 million from the state General Fund in the supplemental operating budget, fully-funding the agency through June 2021
“We’re delighted with the funding the final budget provides the Department of Fish and Wildlife,” said Mitch Friedman, Conservation Northwest Executive Director and a member of WDFW’s Budget & Policy Advisory Group. “A broad and diverse coalition of stakeholders—from hunters and anglers to outdoor recreation and biodiversity groups—came together to speak for the importance of WDFW’s mission, work, and appropriate funding. The legislature heard us.”
“There was a very real risk that the agency would have to cut services to stay in line with funding, which still hadn’t caught up to its level prior to cutbacks during the 2008 recession” said Friedman. “That would have harmed our natural resources, outdoor opportunities and the Washington quality of life we treasure.”
“We’re deeply grateful to especially the leaders of the appropriations committees, Senator Christine Rolfes and Representative Timm Ormsby, for keeping this vital department whole. This gives us a foundation to build from as we explore sources of dedicated funding that would enable WDFW to step up to the greater challenges our wildlife face in the future from population growth, climate change, and much more.”
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