This site aims to inform Washington State residents about how the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is implementing the budget and funding directives from the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act.

 

HEAL requires agencies to direct 40% of all grants and expenditures that create environmental benefits to vulnerable populations and overburdened communities (this aligns with the federal Justice40 Initiative under Executive Order 14008, Section 223). This ambitious goal challenges agencies to reimagine how public funds are allocated, spent, and prioritized to close environmental health disparities (EHDs) and invest in overburdened and vulnerable communities; and represents a significant shift from current agency budgeting and fund-tracking practices. 

 

DNR is proud to note that 58% of all grants and expenditures that create environmental benefits went to vulnerable populations and overburdened communities (a sum of roughly 48 million dollars). DNR spends more than most of the other HEAL named agencies. Additionally, we anticipate that this number will grow in the coming years.

 

The Office of Financial Management has created a dashboard to track grants and expenditures. This dashboard allows for identifying and tracking of investments made to benefit vulnerable populations in overburdened communities. By publishing this dashboard, we hope to empower communities, agencies, and decision makers alike to ensure that environmental benefits are distributed equitably, promoting healthier and more sustainable communities for all Washingtonians. 

 

2024 is the first year of agency reporting. The data will serve as a baseline from which we can measure and evaluate progress over time.  To access this dashboard click here or on the image below:

 

 

 

The HEAL Act mandates DNR to create opportunities for equitable distribution of environmental benefit. This means incorporating environmental justice includes the meaningful participation of the public and considering adverse impacts of budget decision.  Budgeting is an evolving process. DNR is incorporating agency learning and Environmental Justice Council input. Our decision-making practices will adapt as we gain experience and information.

 

Initial implementation is focused on incorporating budget managers, incorporating statements of benefit and harm related to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. Accounting for uneven benefit production and the exacerbation of health disparities. Additionally, budget decisions must also account for disparate tribal impacts. 

 

In 2025 EJ Advisory Committee and budget and finance teams will work together to refine and expand our commitment to a budget process informed by environmental justice practices.

 

This process will:

1. Reduce environmental harm;
2. Address disparities for overburdened communities;
3. Build community and infrastructure resilience.

 

This page will be updated as procedures are developed

 

To accomplish the above goals, we are focusing on where we can create the greatest impact. This includes prioritizing the reduction or elimination of environmental harms and equitably distributing environmental benefits. 

 

The list below includes the types of processes we will use to make decisions about our budget and where we will focus initially. To do this, the Office of Equity and Environmental Justice is partnering with programs across the agency to identify if a proposed program or policy will create environmental benefits or harms. We will continue to update this list over time.  

 

Expenditures we report on:

Additional programs will be covered, check this page for updates.