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DNR outlines FY26 budget, storm response, park fee increase and wildlife initiatives
Summary
Commissioner Raven briefed the committee on DNR operations and priorities, citing a FY26 agency budget of about $355 million, winter storm response losses of roughly $250,000 in cancellations, the new $10 park pass, accessibility initiatives (Outdoors Beyond Barriers), oyster mariculture expansion, red snapper data efforts and chronic wasting disease monitoring.
Commissioner Raven delivered a high-level overview of the Department of Natural Resources, describing the agency’s divisions, staffing and recent work.
Raven said DNR’s FY26 budget was approximately $355,000,000, of which about $181,000,000 are state dollars; the agency employs roughly 2,700 people. He highlighted the department’s coastal resources, law enforcement ("about 200 game wardens statewide"), state parks ("13,000,000 visitors last year" with an economic impact "over $1,700,000,000") and the wildlife resources division with more than 1,000,000 acres managed through 133 wildlife management areas.
Raven detailed the agency’s response to winter storm "FERN," noting DNR worked…
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