Natural Resources Reform
The public comment period for the Natural Resources Reform work of the Natural Resources Subcabinet ended October 28, 2009.
Hundreds of comments were received through a special web site and email account, and will be taken into consideration by state natural resources agency directors and senior staff of Governor Chris Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark – known as the Natural Resources Subcabinet.
In November, the Subcabinet will make recommendations to the Governor and the Commissioner for improving natural resources management in Washington state.
The two elected officials will announce the decisions they make on Natural Resources Reform. Watch here for updates.
Background
The 2009–11 Washington state operating budget instructed natural resources agencies to:
"Convene a work group consisting of representatives from the natural resource agencies. The work group shall consider the experience of other states and their organizational structures to identify consolidation opportunities to improve service delivery and reduce costs. The work group shall submit a comprehensive written recommendation to the Governor and the Office of Financial Management by September 1, 2009."
To carry out this directive, state natural resources agency directors, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark and their senior staff worked with Governor Gregoire’s policy and budget staff to develop approaches to reform how natural resources are managed and protected.
How will natural resources reform ideas be evaluated?
Ideas were selected based on three criteria established by Governor Gregoire:
-
Improves customer service (i.e., simplifies and streamlines processes, reduces redundancies, etc.)
-
Increases efficiencies (i.e., lowers the cost to deliver services, reduces duplication of services, etc.)
-
Advances the state’s commitment to protecting and restoring natural resources and the environment, working collaboratively on natural resources issues with the state’s tribal governments, promoting sustainable commercial and recreational use of natural resources, and protecting public health.
