FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 2733
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 172 L 18
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Establishing a prescribed burn certification program at the department of natural resources.
Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt, Chapman, Maycumber, Tharinger, Dent, Kretz, Blake, Fitzgibbon and Muri.
House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Background:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for issuing and regulating permits for certain burning activities on lands under the DNR's fire protection authority, including silvicultural or prescribed burning. The DNR maintains and implements the Smoke Management Plan to regulate burning on DNR-protected lands, and to meet requirements of the state Clean Air Act.
Prescribed burning is the controlled application of fire to wildland fuels under specific environmental conditions, which allow the fire to be confined to a predetermined area, and at the same time to produce the fireline intensity and rate of spread required to attain planned management objectives. Prescribed burn project managers are often referred to as "burn bosses."
Summary:
Subject to appropriations, the DNR must create a non-mandatory prescribed burn manager certification program (program) for those who practice prescribed burning in the state. The program must include training on all relevant aspects of prescribed fire in Washington. The DNR may develop an equivalency test for experienced prescribed burn managers. Certified prescribed burn managers are granted additional liability protection for permitted burns, and may be issued burn permits with modified requirements.
The DNR may adopt rules to create the program, set periodic renewal criteria, and adopt a decertification process for certified prescribed burn managers who violate any forest protection laws or rules. Any rules adopted should be developed in consultation with similar programs in other states.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 97 | 0 | |
Senate | 49 | 0 | (Senate amended) |
House | 98 | 0 | (House concurred) |
Effective: | June 7, 2018 |