Ecology Budget snapshot 2005-2009

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In recent years, a strong state economy and the increased price of petroleum products allowed the Legislature to significantly increase investments in local and state environmental protection.

This allowed local governments, public ports and the Department of Ecology to address a backlog of environmental needs that accompanied a steady surge in the state’s population growth. (Every two years, population growth has added the equivalent of another Tacoma or Spokane to the state.)

A 4-year Ecology budget snapshot

In the past four years, the Legislature and Governor responded to unique economic and environmental conditions by increasing investments in Ecology’s environmental protection mission by $320 million.
Of this total:
- 74% ($237 million) was “pass through” money and grants to local governments to accelerate local toxic cleanup efforts, fund wastewater treatment plants, improve solid waste management and recycling, pre-position rapid-response oil spill equipment, and other important local environmental challenges.
- 23% went directly to Ecology environmental activities.
- 3% went to Ecology business and administrative functions.

More Budget Snapshots:

Additional budget information: