WAC 173-430-030   Definition of terms.  The definitions of terms contained in chapter 173-400 WAC are incorporated into this chapter by reference. Unless a different meaning is clearly required by context, the meanings of the following words and phrases used in this chapter are listed below.

     (1) Agricultural burning: Means the burning of vegetative debris from an agricultural operation necessary for disease or pest control, necessary for crop propagation and/or crop rotation, or where identified as a best management practice by the agricultural burning practices and research task force established in RCW 70.94.650 or other authoritative source on agricultural practices. Propane flaming for the purpose of vegetative debris removal is considered commercial agricultural burning.

     (2) Agricultural operation: Means a farmer who can substantiate that the operation is commercial agriculture by showing the most recent year's IRS schedule F form or its corporate equivalent. It also includes burning conducted by irrigation district or drainage district personnel as part of water system management.

     (3) Ag task force: Means the agricultural burning practices and research task force.

     (4) Air pollution episode: Means a period when a forecast, alert, warning, or emergency air pollution stage is declared as described in RCW 70.94.715.

     (5) Best management practice: Means the criteria established by the agricultural burning practices and research task force (Ag task force).

     (6) Certify: Means to declare in writing, based on belief after reasonable inquiry, that the statements and information provided are true, accurate, and complete.

     (7) Department: Means the department of ecology.

     (8) Farmer: Means any person engaged in the business of growing or producing for sale any agricultural product upon their own lands, or upon the land in which they have a present right of possession, any agricultural product. Farmer does not mean persons growing or producing such products primarily for their own consumption.

     (9) Impaired air quality: Means a first or second stage impaired air quality condition declared by ecology or a local air authority with jurisdiction in accordance with RCW 70.94.715, 70.94.775, and 70.94.473.

     (a) A first stage of impaired air quality is reached when:      (i) Fine particulates are at an ambient level of thirty-five micrograms per cubic meter measured on a twenty-four-hour average; and

     (ii) Forecasted meteorological conditions are not expected to allow levels of fine particulates to decline below thirty-five micrograms per cubic meter for a period of forty-eight hours or more from the time that the fine particulates are measured at the trigger level.

     (b) A second stage of impaired air quality is reached when:

     (i) A first stage of impaired air quality has been in force and not been sufficient to reduce the increasing fine particle pollution trend;

     (ii) Fine particulates are at an ambient level of sixty micrograms per cubic meter measured on a twenty-four-hour average; and

     (iii) Forecasted meteorological conditions are not expected to allow levels of fine particulates to decline below sixty micrograms per cubic meter for a period of forty-eight hours or more from the time that the fine particulates are measured at the trigger level.

     (10) Outdoor burning: Means all forms of burning except those listed as exempt in WAC 173-425-020.

     (11) Permitting authority: Means ecology or its delegate or a local air authority with jurisdiction or its delegate. Conservation districts, counties, fire districts, or fire protection agencies may receive delegation for all or portions of the agricultural burning permit program as identified in a delegation agreement. The permitting authority will issue agricultural burning permits for a given locale.

     (12) Silvicultural burning: Means burning on any land the department of natural resources protects per RCW 70.94.030(13), 70.94.660, 70.94.690, and pursuant to chapter 76.04 RCW.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.650, 70.94.743, and 70.94.745. 06-16-052 (Order 04-10), § 173-430-030, filed 7/26/06, effective 8/26/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.656. 98-12-016 (Order 97-45), § 173-430-030, filed 5/26/98, effective 6/26/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.650. 95-03-083 (Order 94-17), § 173-430-030, filed 1/17/95, effective 2/17/95; 93-14-022 (Order 92-58), § 173-430-030, filed 6/28/93, effective 7/29/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.331. 90-19-062 (Order 90-10), § 173-430-030, filed 9/17/90, effective 10/18/90; Order DE 77-20, § 173-430-030, filed 11/9/77. Formerly WAC 18-16-030.]