Why It Matters: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Budget and Policy Advisory Group (BPAG) plays a critical role in shaping sustainable wildlife management and funding strategies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) continued representation through Assistant Manager, Northwestern States Marie Neumiller’s reappointment ensures that the sportsmen’s voice remains central to these discussions. This position strengthens advocacy for science-based conservation and access for hunters, anglers, and trappers.
Highlights:
- Established in 2017 to address a looming budget deficit, BPAG has been instrumental in collaborating with WDFW through fiscal changes and policy directions.
- With budget cuts across the board looming in WA State, collaboration with stakeholders will be vital as the department navigates hatchery closures, layoffs, and other adjustments brought by the 2025 legislative budget.
- Through Neumiller’s reappointment, CSF continues to champion the American System of Conservation Funding, – ensuring sportsmen’s contributions, such as license fees, are utilized to sustain science-based wildlife management and to continue providing opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting sports.
Established in the fall of 2017, the Budget and Policy Advisory Group has worked collaboratively with WDFW to address budget deficits while also tackling a wide range of policy questions. This group meets several times throughout the year, with optional weekly check-ins during the legislative sessions. Recommendations made by the diverse members of the BPAG are ultimately presented to the Director, helping to inform and shape department proposals.
As the 2023-2025 membership terms expired this past June, WDFW began recruitment for the 2025-2027 advisory group. On July 2, 2025, Marie Neumiller was reappointed to the WDFW BPAG to represent the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. CSF’s continued presence on BPAG reinforces the importance of the North American Model of Wildlife Management and the American System of Conservation Funding, which rely on sportsmen’s contributions through license fees and excise taxes to fund WDFW’s critical fish and wildlife management programs. Neumiller will provide input on future budget planning, long-term funding strategies, and future WDFW legislative policy requests.
Despite the current fiscal constraints impacting WDFW’s overall operations, Neumiller’s advocacy will focus on equitable solutions that balance conservation with the needs of Washington’s sportsmen’s community. Drawing from CSF’s track record of upholding and supporting the American System of Conservation Funding, by collaborating with coalition partners, Neumiller aims to secure stable long-term funding and to protect outdoor traditions. CSF encourages sportsmen and women to play an active role in WDFW’s public processes and will be sharing information on how to engage as the 2026 legislative policy package takes shape.
