DPNR presents $146.9M FY2026 budget, seeks $2M in supplemental funding for permits and libraries

Jean Pierre Oriole, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, told the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on July 10 that DPNR’s recommended fiscal year 2026 budget totals $146,949,100, composed of $7,009,487 in general fund support, $10,861,427 in non‑appropriated local funds and $129,078,186 in federal grants.

Oriole told the 36th Legislature that roughly $100 million — about 77% of the department’s federal funds — are pass‑through awards for land acquisition and infrastructure that do not support departmental operations. He also outlined two supplemental requests needed to avoid layoffs and reopen library services: $575,143 to support six months of funding for 13 positions in the permits division and $1,416,159 to fund the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums for a full year. Both are requests to the executive branch and legislature, not approved actions.

Why it matters: DPNR manages permitting, coastal and watershed projects, historic sites, libraries, territorial parks and natural‑resource programs that rely heavily on federal awards. Senators pressed the department on shortfalls that could interrupt services — from building inspections to library reopenings — and on delay risks tied to federal reimbursements and internal vacancies.

Major budget and program details - Personnel and core operating split: The FY2026 general fund request of $7,009,487 is unchanged from FY2025 and is allocated as $4,894,087 for personnel and fringe (61 positions), $238,302 for supplies, $1,271,514 for other services and charges, and $605,584 for utilities. DPNR reported 151 active employees across 12 divisions as of June 30, 2025. - Federal grants: Federal awards total $129,078,186 for FY2026. Oriole said capital outlay under federal grants is budgeted at $29,320,449 and other services and charges at $87,276,800. About $50 million of recent inflows are for water, wastewater and related infrastructure projects to be implemented by WAPA and the Waste Management Authority. - Non‑appropriated local funds: DPNR projects $10,861,427 from fees, fines and rentals.…