Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 1406

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.

Brief Description: Adjusting the surface mining funding structure.

Sponsors: Representatives Barkis, Blake, Chandler, Fitzgibbon and Wilcox; by request of Department of Natural Resources.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Changes the application fee for certain surface mining actions and permits from $1000 to $2500.

  • Changes the annual fee that each surface mine permit holder must pay, from a fee ranging from $1250 to $3500 depending on the quantity of material extracted, to a flat fee of $2000 regardless of the quantity of material extracted.

Hearing Date: 1/31/17

Staff: Robert Hatfield (786-7117).

Background:

The Surface Mine Reclamation Act.Surface mining activities in Washington consist primarily of rock, sand, and gravel mining. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), pursuant to the Surface Mine Reclamation Act (Act), regulates surface mine reclamation in Washington.

Persons engaging in surface mining activities must have an approved reclamation plan and a reclamation permit issued by DNR. "Reclamation" means rehabilitation for future use of areas that have been disturbed by surface mining. The objective of reclamation is to reestablish the vegetative cover, soil, stability, and water conditions appropriate to the approved subsequent use of the surface mine and to prevent or mitigate future environmental degradation.

The state surface mine reclamation permit issued by the DNR to the permit holder applies to most of the surface mines in Washington. The Act does not apply where the excavation or grading is used for certain purposes, including on-site construction, certain forest or farm road construction, and public works projects if the mine is smaller than seven acres and the mine is owned by a county whose 1993 population was fewer than 20,000 people.

The application fee for a new reclamation permit, for the expansion of an existing permitted mine, or for the combination of existing public or private reclamation permits, is $1000. Permit holders must also pay an annual fee that varies based on the quantity of material extracted:

Summary of Bill:

The application fee for a surface mine permit is changed to $2500.

The annual fee for all permit holders, regardless of amount extracted, is changed to $2000.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.