$100 Million for the Wildlife and Recreation Program - Appoved

One of Four 2007 Priorities for a Healthy Washington

The Need
As our population grows, children need more places to play and fish and wildlife need protection from encroaching development.  The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) has been a very effective effort over the last 16 years in meeting these needs. However funding for WWRP grants has remained flat, while costs have risen and other pressures continue to mount.

        •    Population Growth - Our state’s population has grown by 25% since the WWRP started                     in 1990, and it is projected to increase by another 2 million in the next 25 years.
        •    Funding Hasn’t Increased Since 1990 – Inflation and land prices have eroded the                             WWRP’s buying power.
        •    The New Categories Are Funded Last – Funding for the new Farmland and Riparian                         categories is inadequate unless the appropriation approaches $100 M.

The Proposal
Increase funding for the WWRP to $100 million per biennium. The WWRP is administered by the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC). In 2007-2008 alone, that increase would fund 135 projects:

        •    Outdoor Recreation - $36 M for state and local parks, trails and shorelines.
        •    Habitat Conservation - $36 M for natural areas, wildlife habitat and land stewardship.
        •    Riparian Protection - $19 M for acquisition and restoration of fresh and saltwater                                     riparian land.
        •    Farmland Conservation - $9 M for conservation and restoration of working farms.

Benefits
•    It’s Pork-Free – The IAC, reviews, ranks and distributes WWRP grants in a competitive process that guarantees the best projects are funded first. 
•    Future Users Help Pay the Bill – WWRP grants are funded in the Capital Budget by bonds.  They do not compete with operating dollars for teachers and human services.
•    Major Employers Support the WWRP – If we don’t act now, we will lose the natural values that are key to attracting qualified employees and retaining jobs.  That’s why Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Puget Sound Energy, the Washington State Grange and the Washington Realtors support the WWRP.

Contact:     Joanna Grist, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, 206-748-0082