What is the Operating Budget?
The operating budget pays for the day-to-day expenses that support of the Department’s stewardship of fish and wildlife resources in the state of Washington.
Our Role in the Economy
Hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation play a vital role in the state's economy.
What is the Capital Budget?
The capital budget primarily uses borrowed money generated by state bond sales to fund items that benefit future users. For example, the benefits of a new wildlife area, or state hatchery facility will last 30 years or more. Financing these types of purchases with bonds paid off over 30 years spreads the cost over the life of the acquisition or facility. The operating budget focuses on recurring items that must be paid on a periodic basis, such as staff salaries, and purchases where it does not make sense to spread the costs over a longer period of time.
Most of the funding comes from state bonds issued by the Washington State Treasurer
The capital budget is a separate bill from the operating budget (LEAP budget site)
The Department’s Capital Budget Request includes a ten-year plan of proposed capital spending
