Washington Administrative Code
Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508)
Chapter 173-430 - Agricultural burning
Section 173-430-041 - Agricultural burning fees
Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) RCW 70.94.6528 provides the following maximum fees for agricultural burning:
Field burning | $3.75 per acre |
Pile burning | $1.00 per ton |
(2) RCW 70.94.6528(5) authorizes the agricultural burning practices and research task force (task force) to determine the level of the fee.
(3) Calculating the fee. The fee consists of a minimum fee plus any applicable variable fee.
Type of Burning | Variable Fee |
Field Burning | Fee applied for each additional acre. |
Spot Burning | None - Spot burn permits must not exceed the base amount of acres published in the fee schedule. |
Pile Burning | Fee applied for each additional ton. |
(4) Fee components. The permit fee helps off-set the cost of administering and enforcing the agricultural burning permit program. The fee consists of three components:
* Permitting program administration;
* Smoke management administration; and
* Research.
(5) Permit fee schedule. Table 1 shows the permit fee schedule. This fee schedule will remain in place until ecology and the task force adjust it using the process in WAC 173-430-042. Please see http://www.ecology.wa.gov, contact ecology, or contact your local air authority for the most current fee schedule or fee distribution.
Table 1
Agricultural Burning Fee Schedule
Fee | Minimum Fee | Variable Fee |
Field Burning | $ 37.50 for the first 10 acres | $ 3.75 for each additional acre |
Spot Burning | $ 37.50 for 10 acres or less | None |
Pile Burning | $80 for piles up to 80 tons | $ 1.00 for each additional ton |
Note: These numbers reflect the most recent revision of the agricultural fee schedule, which occurred on July 1, 2012, per WAC 173-430-042.
(6) Permit fee distribution. Table 2 shows the permit fee distribution. This distribution will remain in place until ecology and the task force adjust it using the process in WAC 173-430-042. Please see http://www.ecology.wa.gov, contact ecology, or contact your local air authority for the most current fee schedule or fee distribution.
Table 2 Agricultural Burning Fee Distribution
Fee | Permitting Authority Administration | Research | Smoke Management |
Field Burning Minimum Fee | $15.00 | $0 | $ 22.50 |
Field Burning Variable Fee | $1.25 per acre | $0.50 per acre | $ 2.00 per acre |
Spot Burning Fee | $15.00 | $0 | $ 22.50 |
Pile Burning Minimum Fee | $16.00 | $16.00 | $48.00 |
Pile Burning Variable Fee | $0.10 per ton | $0.10 per ton | $ 0.80 per ton |
Note: These numbers reflect the most recent revision of the agricultural burning fee distribution schedule, which occurred on July 1, 2012, per WAC 173-430-042.
(7) Refunds. The farmer may receive a refund. The farmer may only receive a refund for the portion of the variable fee paid for the acres or tons not burned.
Statutory Authority: 2010 c 70, RCW 70.94.6528 and Ted Rasmussen Farms, LLC v. State of Washington, Department of Ecology, Docket # 22989-1-III. 10-23-049 (Order 10-05), § 173-430-041, filed 11/10/10, effective 12/11/10.