The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has requested an additional $2,422,604 for fiscal year 2020.
Austin Caperton, cabinet secretary of the DEP, came before the Senate Finance Committee to present the department’s budget request and explain that additional funding would go towards establishing the following — a Watershed Assessment Branch, a Dam Safety Program, an oil and gas program and to develop stream partnerships.
Caperton called on Scott Mandirola, deputy cabinet secretary for external affairs, to address the potential formation of the Watershed Assessment Branch. According to Mandirola, the branch would allow for the state’s water to be tested in order to receive specific labels. Certain labels which showed concern could then signal other branch’s of the DEP to address the issue.
In total, the DEP has requested $8,730,598.
Committee members also received a budget request from Mary Jane Pickens, deputy cabinet secretary at the Department of Administration. The total general revenue request for the department is set at $70,897,717 with $11,585,650 being set aside for an improvement package.
When addressing the improvement package, Pickens explained that funding allocated for the improvement package would go towards the Public Defenders salaries and court appointed counsel fees. The package will also cover general services fees as well.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection presentation concluded the Senate Finance’s budget request agenda.
