To Whom do the Agricultural Burning Provisions
of WAC 173-430 Apply? The agricultural burning provisions of WAC
173-430 apply to bona fide commercial agricultural operations being
carried out on lands designated for agricultural use as validated by the
most recent year's IRS Schedule F form.
When
is an Agricultural Burning Permit Required?
All commercial agricultural operations must obtain a permit prior to burning
natural vegetation except when burning orchard prunings, natural
vegetation along fence lines, irrigation and drainage ditches or natural
vegetation blown by the wind. You must notify your local fire protection
authority and the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) prior to igniting
any fire, even if an air quality permit is not required.
Best
Management Practices (BMPs) Agricultural burning is allowed when it is reasonably necessary
to carry out the enterprise. A grower can show it is reasonably necessary
when it meets the criteria of the BMPs and no practical alternative
exists. BMPs are one of the ways to demonstrate the need to burn.
Growers not using these BMPs must establish that their proposed burn is
reasonably necessary and that no practical alternative is available. The
burden of proof is on the grower, and the demonstration must satisfy
the Southwest Clean Air Agency and the Washington Department of Ecology.
Agricultural
Burning Permit Application Forms
If the burning you wish to conduct requires a permit, an appropriate permit
application must be submitted to the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA)
with the application fee. The appropriate permit application form can
be downloaded as described below depending on the type of burning you
wish to conduct. Instructions and fee information are provided on the
application forms. SWCAA will approve or deny a permit within 7 days of
receiving a complete application with fee.
Agricultural Burn Permit: Application for Field Burning (PDF)
Agricultural Burn Permit: Application for Pile Burns (PDF)
Agricultural Burn Permit: Application for Spot Burning (PDF)
Agricultural Burn Permit: Applicaiton to Burn Baled Agricultural Residue (PDF)
If you have any questions about which agricultural burn permit application you need,
call SWCAA at
360-574-3058 for assistance.
