WAC 173-430-080   Responsibilities of a permitting authority.  (1) The permitting authority is ecology or its delegate or a local air authority with jurisdiction or its delegate. The permitting authority must establish and administer an agricultural burning permit system. The minimum responsibilities are described in this section.

     (2) The permitting authority must act on a complete application (as determined by ecology or a local air authority with jurisdiction) within seven days of receipt.

     (a) Local air authorities are required to use application templates and permit templates supplied by ecology. Ecology delegated authorities are required to use applications and permits supplied by ecology.

     (b) A map is required to accompany all permit applications.

     (i) The map must accurately depict the topography of the area where the requested burn would take place and include roads, landmarks, etc.

     (ii) The map must accurately show affected acreage to be burned.

     (iii) The map must show the position of the field within each section the field occupies, down to the 1/4 - 1/4 section. All four border lines of each section shall be outlined with the section number, township, and range clearly marked.

     (c) The permitting authority must evaluate the application and approve or deny all or part of it.

     (d) The permitting authority must evaluate the application to determine if the requested burning is within the general or crop-specific best management practices.

     (e) If the application is denied, the reason must be stated.

     (3) Permitting authorities must issue permits where appropriate on complete applications. Delegated permitting authorities may issue permits when agreed to as part of the delegation order.

     (4) Permitting authorities must determine day-to-day burning restrictions near populated areas and arrange for dissemination of the results. Delegated permitting authorities must arrange for assisting in dissemination of results.

     (5) The permitting authority or its delegate is responsible for responding to agricultural burning complaints.

     (6) The permitting authority must collect the fee, determine the local administration portion of the fee, and issue refunds.

     (a) Permitting authorities must issue a permit fee refund for permitted acres not burned on confirmation by the permitting authority. The refund request deadline must be included on the permits.

     (b) Local air authorities and delegated permitting authorities must formally adopt the local administration portion of the fee through rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution.

     (7) Delegated permitting authorities must provide ecology with copies of all permits and supporting documentation and transfer the research and ecology administration portion of the fee to the department.

     (a) Local air authorities and delegated permitting authorities must transfer funds twice a year by July 15 and January 15.

     (b) Local air authorities and delegated permitting authorities must provide ecology copies of all permits, applications with supporting documentation, maps, and postburn reports. All spring (January-June) permits need to be provided by July 15th and all fall (July-December) permits by January 15th.

     (c) The department must deposit all agricultural burning permit fees in the air pollution control account. Permitting authorities may deduct the local administration portion before forwarding the remainder to the department.

     (8) The permitting authority must coordinate compliance. Violations are subject to the remedies of chapter 70.94 RCW, Washington Clean Air Act.

     (9) The permitting authority or its delegate must require a postburn report for all permits.

     (10) The permitting authority or its delegate must utilize the web-based data base.

     (a) Local air authorities and its delegates must make arrangements with ecology to enter information into the web-based data base.

     (b) Ecology-delegated permitting authorities must attend a minimum of one data base training per calendar year or as provided by ecology.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.650, 70.94.743, and 70.94.745. 06-16-052 (Order 04-10), § 173-430-080, filed 7/26/06, effective 8/26/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.650. 95-03-083 (Order 94-17), § 173-430-080, filed 1/17/95, effective 2/17/95; 93-14-022 (Order 92-58), § 173-430-080, filed 6/28/93, effective 7/29/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.331. 90-19-062 (Order 90-10), § 173-430-080, filed 9/17/90, effective 10/18/90; Order DE 77-20, § 173-430-080, filed 11/9/77. Formerly WAC 18-16-080.]