The Blog

Robin Arnold-Williams, Policy Office Director

09/16/09

On Sept. 14, 2009, our state natural resource agency directors, along with policy and budget staff for Governor Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, released for public review a set of ideas for reforming the state’s natural resource management. 

This carried out a duty the agencies were given in the state’s 2009-2011 budget. The Legislature directed natural resource agencies to identify consolidation opportunities to improve service delivery and reduce costs, and to submit a written report to the Governor and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) by the beginning of September 2009.

The reform ideas that resulted from this work represent a look at a wide range of potential choices, but at this stage, they aren’t hard and fast recommendations. The ideas are intended to prompt discussion and critical thinking among the public, tribes and other governmental partners, a wide range of interested parties, as well employees of the agencies.

Gov. Gregoire and I invite you to participate in natural resources reform.

From now through Oct. 28, we’re making a special effort to receive comments – and additional reform ideas – from the public, our tribal and other governmental partners, natural resource agency employees, and other interested parties.

The initial document, “Ideas to Improve Management of Washington’s Natural Resources,” is available on Gov. Gregoire’s website: www.governor.wa.gov. From the Governor’s homepage, click on the “Government Reform” button in the center column. Then click on “Natural Resources. The direct link is: http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/reform/naturalresources.asp

Now is the time to make your ideas known for improving our management of natural resources.