WSR 25-06-090
PROPOSED RULES
NORTHWEST CLEAN
AIR AGENCY
[Filed March 5, 2025, 9:41 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Regulation of the Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA).
Hearing Location(s): On April 29, 2025, at 10 a.m., at the NWCAA Office, 1600 South 2nd Street, Mount Vernon, WA; or via video and teleconference at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81512278340, Meeting ID 815 1227 8340; or phone 253-215-8782.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 8, 2025.
Submit Written Comments to: Mark Buford, 1600 South 2nd Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, email info@nwcleanairwa.gov, fax 360-428-1620, beginning April 2, 2025, at 9 a.m., by April 29, 2025, at 11 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tanya Asmundson, phone 360-428-1617, fax 360-428-1620, email info@nwcleanairwa.gov, by April 22, 2025.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules:
| |
• | Update the adoption-by-reference date to allow implementation of the most recent version of the referenced state and federal rules - add 40 C.F.R. 60 Subparts Kc, La, VVb, XXa, IIIa, NNNa, RRRa, and OOOOb to the list. (NWCAA Section 104) |
• | Update the daily maximum penalty to $26,000 from $19,000 to reflect the cost of living adjustment. (NWCAA Section 133) |
• | Correct typo in RCW citation within the definition of "Order." (NWCAA Section 200) |
• | Update to reflect correct section citations. (NWCAA Section 466) |
• | Correct an RCW and NWCAA regulation citation. (NWCAA Section 502) |
• | Remove incorrect conversion regarding sulfur compounds in fuel. (NWCAA Section 520) |
• | Delete section because it duplicates other sections in rule. (NWCAA 580.11) |
• | Delete section because it is vague and is no longer necessary due to applicability of federal programs. (NWCAA 580.23) |
• | Correct conversion to match the federal rule. (NWCAA 580.3) |
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See list above.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter
70A.15 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: NWCAA, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Mark Buford, 1600 South 2nd Street, Mount Vernon, WA, 360-428-1617.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Explanation of exemptions: Not applicable under RCW
70A.15.2040.
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
March 4, 2025
Mark Buford
Executive Director
AMENDATORY SECTION
SECTION 104 - ADOPTION OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND RULES
104.1 All provisions of the following state rules that are in effect as of March 15, 2025((October 18, 2023)) are hereby adopted by reference and made part of the Regulation of the NWCAA: chapter 173-400 WAC, (except - -025, -030, -035, -036, -040(1) & (7), -045, -075, -099, -100, -101, -102, -103, -104, -105(7), -110, -114, -115, -116, -171, -930), chapter 173-401 WAC, chapter 173-407 WAC, chapter 173-420 WAC, chapter 173-425 WAC, chapter 173-430 WAC, chapter 173-433 WAC, chapter 173-434 WAC, chapter 173-435 WAC, chapter 173-441 WAC, chapter 173-450 WAC, chapter 173-460 WAC, chapter 173-476 WAC, chapter 173-480 WAC, chapter 173-481 WAC, chapter 173-485 WAC, chapter 173-491 WAC. The requirements of the NWCAA Regulation apply in addition to the statewide regulations adopted and enforced under this paragraph.
104.2 All provisions of the following federal rules that are in effect as of March 15, 2025((October 18, 2023)) are hereby adopted by reference and made part of the Regulation of the NWCAA: 40 CFR Part 51 (Requirements for Preparation, Adoption, and Submittal of Implementation Plans) Appendix M; 40 CFR Part 60 (Standards of Performance For New Stationary Sources) subparts A, D, Da, Db, Dc, E, Ea, Eb, Ec, F, G, Ga, H, I, J, Ja, K, Ka, Kb, Kc, L, La, M, N, Na, O, P, Q, R, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, AAa, AAb, CC, DD, EE, GG, HH, KK, KKa, LL, MM, MMa, NN, PP, QQ, RR, SS, TT, UU, VV, VVa, VVb, WW, XX, XXa, AAA, BBB, DDD, FFF, GGG, GGGa, HHH, III, IIIa, JJJ, KKK, LLL, NNN, NNNa, OOO, PPP, QQQ, RRR, RRRa, SSS, TTT, TTTa, UUU, VVV, WWW, XXX, AAAA, CCCC, EEEE, IIII, JJJJ, KKKK, LLLL, OOOO, OOOOa, OOOOb, QQQQ, and Appendix A - I; 40 CFR Part 61 (National Emission Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants) Subparts A, C, D, E, F, J, L, M, N, O, P, V, Y, BB, FF; 40 CFR Part 62 (Approval and Promulgation of State Plans for Designated Facilities and Pollutants) Subparts LLL and OOO; 40 CFR Part 63 (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories) Subparts A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I, L, M, N, O, Q, R, T, U, W, X, Y, AA, BB, CC, DD, EE, GG, HH, II, JJ, KK, OO, PP, QQ, RR, SS, TT, UU, VV, WW, XX, YY, CCC, DDD, EEE, GGG, HHH, III, JJJ, LLL, MMM, NNN, OOO, PPP, QQQ, TTT, UUU, VVV, XXX, AAAA, CCCC, DDDD, EEEE, FFFF, GGGG, HHHH, IIII, JJJJ, KKKK, MMMM, NNNN, OOOO, PPPP, QQQQ, RRRR, SSSS, TTTT, UUUU, VVVV, WWWW, XXXX, YYYY, ZZZZ, AAAAA, BBBBB, CCCCC, DDDDD, EEEEE, FFFFF, GGGGG, HHHHH, IIIII, LLLLL, MMMMM, NNNNN, PPPPP, QQQQQ, RRRRR, SSSSS, TTTTT, UUUUU, WWWWW, YYYYY, ZZZZZ, BBBBBB, CCCCCC, EEEEEE, FFFFFF, GGGGGG, HHHHHH, JJJJJJ, MMMMMM, NNNNNN, OOOOOO, QQQQQQ, SSSSSS, TTTTTT, VVVVVV, WWWWWW, XXXXXX, ZZZZZZ, AAAAAAA, DDDDDDD, EEEEEEE, and HHHHHHH; and 40 CFR Parts 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78 (Acid Rain Program).
PASSED: July 8, 1970 AMENDED: April 14, 1993, September 8, 1993, December 8, 1993, October 13, 1994, May 11, 1995, February 8, 1996, May 9, 1996, March 13, 1997, May 14, 1998, November 12, 1998, November 12, 1999, June 14, 2001, July 10, 2003, July 14, 2005, November 8, 2007, June 10, 2010, June 9, 2011, November 17, 2011, August 9, 2012, March 14, 2013, September 11, 2014, August 13, 2015, August 11, 2016, September 13, 2018, April 11, 2019, May 14, 2020, June 10, 2021, February 10, 2022, November 10, 2022, December 14, 2023, May 8, 2025
AMENDATORY SECTION
SECTION 133 - CIVIL PENALTY
133.1 In addition to or as an alternate to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates any of the provisions of chapter
70A.15 RCW, or any of the rules in force pursuant thereto, including the Regulation of the NWCAA may incur a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed
$26,000((
$19,000)) per day for each violation. Each such violation shall be a separate and distinct offense, and in the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance shall be a separate and distinct violation.
Any person who fails to take action as specified by an order shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $26,000(($19,000)) for each day of continued noncompliance.
133.2 The penalty is due and payable 30 days after a notice is served unless an appeal is filed with the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB).
(A) Within 30 days after the Notice is served, the person incurring the penalty may apply in writing to the Control Officer for the remission or mitigation of the penalty. Upon receipt of the application the Control Officer shall remit or mitigate the penalty only upon a demonstration of extraordinary circumstance such as the presence of information or factors not considered in setting the original penalty.
(B) If such penalty is not paid to the NWCAA within 30 days after such payment is due, the Board or Control Officer may direct the attorney for the NWCAA to bring an action to recover the penalty in Superior Court.
(C) Any judgment will bear interest as provided by statute until satisfied.
133.3 Penalties incurred but not paid shall accrue interest, beginning on the 91st day following the date that the penalty becomes due and payable, at the highest rate allowed by RCW
19.52.020. If penalties are appealed, interest shall not begin to accrue until the 31st day following final resolution of the appeal.
The maximum penalty amounts established in this section may be increased annually to account for inflation as determined by the State Office of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.
133.4 In addition to other penalties, persons knowingly under-reporting emissions or other information used to set fees, persons required to pay emission or permit fees who are more than 90 days late with such payments, or persons failing to file a relocation notice to relocate into NWCAA jurisdiction with required registration fee under NWCAA 514.3 may be assessed a penalty equal to 3 times the amount of the original fee owed.
133.5 The suspended portion of any civil penalty, issued under Section 133 of this Regulation, shall be due and payable in the event of future penalties against the same person within 5 years from the date of said suspension. After 5 years the suspended portion of the enalty shall be considered void and of no force or effect.
PASSED: January 8, 1969 AMENDED: November 14, 1984, April 14, 1993, September 8, 1993, October 13, 1994, February 8, 1996, November 12, 1998, November 12, 1999, June 14, 2001, July 10, 2003, July 14, 2005, November 8, 2007, August 13, 2015, February 10, 2022, August 8, 2024, May 8, 2025
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the Northwest Clean Air Agency
and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. AMENDATORY SECTION
SECTION 200 - DEFINITIONS
The terms used in the Regulation of the NWCAA are defined in this section as follows:
***
ORDER - Any order issued by the NWCAA pursuant to chapter
70A.15 RCW, including, but not limited to RCW ((
70.15A.3010))
70A.15.3010,
70A.15.2210,
70A.15.2220,
70A.15.2230, and
70A.15.2040(3), and includes, where used in the generic sense, the terms order, compliance order, order of approval, and regulatory order.
***
PASSED: January 8, 1969 AMENDED: October 31, 1969, September 3, 1971, June 14, 1972, July 11, 1973, February 14, 1973, January 9, 1974, October 13, 1982, November 14, 1984, October 13, 1994, February 8, 1996, May 9, 1996, March 13, 1997, November 12, 1998, June 14, 2001, July 10, 2003, July 14, 2005, November 8, 2007, November 17, 2011, March 14, 2013, August 13, 2015, August 11, 2016, September 13, 2018, April 11, 2019, February 10, 2022, December 14, 2023, August 8, 2024, May 8, 2025
AMENDATORY SECTION
SECTION 466 - PORTLAND CEMENT PLANTS
466.1 It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any portland cement plant to cause or allow to be discharged into the atmosphere from:
466.11 Any sources any emission which:
466.111 Contains particulate matter in excess of 0.60 pounds/ton (0.3kg/metric ton) of dry feed to the kiln.
466.112 Contains particulate matter in excess of 0.1 grains per dry cubic foot of exhaust gas.
466.113 Exhibits greater than 20% opacity for a period(s), aggregating more than 3 minutes in any hour.
466.12 Any source any emission which does not meet the provisions of Section 530 and 550. These sections will be deemed to have been violated if the suspended particulate ambient sample concentration exceeds 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air at any sampling station located off the plant site and the Control Officer, after investigation of pertinent data, including meteorological data, determines if there is reasonable probability that the particulate emissions from the source resulted in the 100 microgram/cubic meter concentration being exceeded.
466.2 The owner or operator of any portland cement plant shall:
466.21 Record and report the daily production rates, kiln feed rates, fuel type and rates and such other information as the Control Officer may reasonably request.
466.22 Install, calibrate, maintain and operate a transmissometer or other opacity detector as approved by the Control officer to continuously monitor and record the opacity of the gases to be discharged into the atmosphere from any kiln.
466.221 Report all hourly periods in which there are one or more 3 minute periods during which the opacity of the gas discharge to the atmosphere from any kiln exceeds 20%.
466.3 Methods and procedures provided for in NWCAA Section((s)) 367 and Appendix A ((180, 360, 365, and 366)), except as provided for in this subsection, or determined equivalent by the Control Officer, shall be used to determine compliance.
466.31 Gas Analysis.
466.331 The minimum sampling time and minimum sampling volume for each sampling run, except when process variables or other facts justify otherwise to the satisfaction of the Control Officer, shall be 60 minutes and 30.0 dscf (0.85 m3) for the kiln.
466.332 Total kiln feed rate (except fuels) expressed in tons per hour on a dry basis, shall be determined during each testing period by suitable approved methods and shall be confirmed by a material balance over the production system.
PASSED: May 11, 1977 AMENDED: August 9, 1978, ((April 14, 1993))May 8, 2025
AMENDATORY SECTION
SECTION 502 - OUTDOOR BURNING
502.1 PURPOSE. This section establishes a program to implement the limited burning policy authorized by sections of the Washington Clean Air Act (chapter
70A.15 RCW as referenced in NWCAA 104.1) pertaining to outdoor burning.
502.2APPLICABILITY.
(A) This section specifically applies to:
(1) Residential burning.
(2) Land clearing burning.
(3) Recreational fires.
(4) Indian ceremonial fires.
(5) Weed abatement fires.
(6) Firefighting instruction fires.
(7) Rare and endangered plant regeneration fires.
(8) Storm or flood debris burning.
(9) Tumbleweed burning.
(10) Other outdoor burning.
(B) This section does not apply to:
(1) Agricultural burning (which is governed by chapter 173-430 WAC as referenced in NWCAA 104.1);
(2) Any outdoor burning on lands within the exterior boundaries of Indian reservations (unless provided for by intergovernmental agreements); and
(3) Silvicultural burning (which is governed by chapter 332-24 WAC, the Washington state smoke management plan, and various laws including chapter
70A.15 RCW as referenced in NWCAA 104.1).
502.3DEFINITIONS. Unless a different meaning is clearly required by context, words and phrases used in this section shall have the following meanings:
AGRICULTURAL BURNING- Fires regulated under chapter 173-430 WAC as referenced in NWCAA 104.1, including, but not limited to, any incidental agricultural burning or agricultural burning for pest or disease control.
AIR POLLUTION EPISODE - A period when a forecast, alert, warning, or emergency air pollution stage is declared, as stated in chapter 173-435 WAC as referenced in NWCAA 104.1.
CONSTRUCTION/DEMOLITION DEBRIS - All material manufactured for or resulting from the construction, renovation, or demolition of buildings, roads, and other man-made structures.
FIREFIGHTING INSTRUCTION FIRES - Fires for instruction in methods of firefighting, including, but not limited to, training to fight structural fires, aircraft crash rescue fires, and forest fires.
FIREWOOD - Bare, untreated wood used as fuel in a solid fuel burning device, Indian ceremonial fire, or recreational fire.
IMPAIRED AIR QUALITY - A first or second stage impaired air quality condition declared by Ecology or the NWCAA in accordance with WAC 173-433-140 as referenced in NWCAA 104.1.
INDIAN CEREMONIAL FIRE - Fires necessary for Native American ceremonies (i.e., conducted by and for Native Americans) if part of a religious ritual.
LAND CLEARING BURNING - Outdoor burning of trees, stumps, shrubbery or other natural vegetation from land clearing projects (i.e., projects that clear the land surface so it can be developed, used for a different purpose, or left unused).
NATURAL VEGETATION - Unprocessed plant material from herbs, shrubbery, and trees, including grass, weeds, leaves, clippings, prunings, brush, branches, roots, stumps, and trunk wood.
NONATTAINMENT AREA - A clearly delineated geographic area designated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 40 CFR Part 81 as exceeding (or that contributes to ambient air quality in a nearby area that exceeds) a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for a given criteria pollutant. An area is nonattainment only for the pollutants for which the area has been designated nonattainment.
NONURBAN AREAS - Unincorporated areas within a county that are not designated as an urban growth area.
NUISANCE - For purposes of outdoor burning, an emission of smoke or any other air contaminant from an outdoor fire that unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of the property upon which it is deposited.
OTHER OUTDOOR BURNING - Outdoor burning other than residential burning, land clearing burning, storm or flood debris burning, tumbleweed burning, weed abatement fires, firefighting instruction fires, rare and endangered plant regeneration fire, Indian ceremonial fires, and recreational fires. It includes, but is not limited to, any outdoor burning necessary to protect public health and safety.
OUTDOOR BURNING - The combustion of any material in an open fire or in an outdoor container without providing for the control of combustion or the control of emissions from the combustion. Outdoor burning means all types of outdoor burning except agricultural burning, burning on lands within the exterior boundaries of Indian reservations (unless provided for by intergovernmental agreements), and silvicultural burning.
PERMITTING AGENCY - The agency responsible for issuing permits for a particular type of outdoor burning (including adopting a general permit) and/or enforcing all requirements of this section unless another agency agrees to be responsible for certain enforcement activities in accordance with WAC 173-425-060 (1)(a) and (6) as referenced in NWCAA 104.1.
POLLUTANTS EMITTED BY OUTDOOR BURNING - Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, and various volatile organic compounds and toxic substances.
RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT REGENERATION FIRES - Fires necessary to promote the regeneration of rare and endangered plants found within natural area preserves as identified in chapter
79.70 RCW.
REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE - A method for disposing of organic refuse (such as natural vegetation) that is available, reasonably economical, and less harmful to the environment than burning, including, but not limited to, waste reduction, recycling, energy recovery or incineration, and landfill disposal.
RECREATIONAL FIRE - Cooking fires, campfires, and bonfires using charcoal or firewood that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure, or ceremonial purposes. Fires used for debris disposal purposes are not considered recreational fires.
RESIDENTIAL BURNING - The outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, prunings and other yard and gardening refuse originating on lands immediately adjacent and in close proximity to a human dwelling and burned on such lands by a responsible person.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON - Any of the following:
(1) Any person who has applied for and received a permit for outdoor burning, or
(2) Any person allowing, igniting or attending to an outdoor fire, or
(3) Any person who owns or controls property on which an outdoor fire occurs.
SILVICULTURAL BURNING - Fires relating to the following activities for the protection of life or property and/or the public health, safety, and welfare:
(1) Abating a forest fire hazard;
(2) Prevention of a forest fire hazard;
(3) Instruction of public officials in methods of forest firefighting;
(4) Any silvicultural operation to improve the forest lands of the state; and
(5) Silvicultural burning used to improve or maintain fire-dependent ecosystems for rare plants or animals within the state, federal, and private natural area preserves, natural resource conservation areas, parks, and other wildlife areas.
STORM OR FLOOD DEBRIS BURNING - Fires consisting of natural vegetation deposited on lands by storms or floods that have occurred in the previous two years and resulted in an emergency being declared or proclaimed in the area by the city, county, or state government and burned on such lands by a responsible person.
TUMBLEWEED BURNING - Outdoor burning to dispose of dry plants (typically Russian Thistle and Tumbleweed Mustard plants) that have been broken off and rolled about by the wind.
URBAN GROWTH AREA - Land, generally including and associated with an incorporated city, designated by a county for urban growth under RCW
36.70A.030.
WEED ABATEMENT FIRES - Outdoor burning to dispose of weeds that is not regulated under chapter 173-430 WAC as referenced in NWCAA 104.1, the Agricultural Burning rule.
502.4PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLYING TO ALL OUTDOOR BURNING. The following general requirements apply to all outdoor burning regulated by this section, including any outdoor burning allowed without a permit, unless a specific exception is stated in this section. A fire protection agency, county, or conservation district may enforce its own controls that are stricter than those set forth in this section.
(A) No person may cause or allow an outdoor fire in an area where the type of burning involved is prohibited under NWCAA 502.6, or where it requires a permit under NWCAA 502.5(B), unless a permit has been issued and is in effect.
(B) PROHIBITED MATERIALS. It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow any outdoor fire containing garbage, dead animals, asphalt, petroleum products, paints, rubber products, plastics, paper (other than what is necessary to start a fire), cardboard, treated wood, construction/demolition debris, metal or any substance (other than natural vegetation) that normally releases toxic emissions, dense smoke, or obnoxious odors when burned except as follows:
(1) Aircraft crash rescue training fires approved and conducted in compliance with RCW
70A.15.5090 as referenced in NWCAA 104.1 may contain uncontaminated petroleum products.
(2) Ecology or the NWCAA may allow the limited burning of prohibited materials for other firefighting instruction fires, including those that are exempt from permits under NWCAA 502.5 (B)(6).
(3) Other outdoor burning necessary to protect public health and safety.
(C) HAULED MATERIAL.
(1) No outdoor fire may contain material (other than firewood) that has been hauled from an area where outdoor burning of the material is prohibited.
(2) Any outdoor burning of material hauled from areas where outdoor burning of the material is allowed requires an appropriate permit. Any property used for this purpose on an on-going basis must be:
(a) Limited to the types of burning listed in WAC 173-351-200 (5)(b) as referenced in NWCAA 104.1 (criteria for municipal solid waste landfills), and
(b) Approved in accordance with other laws, including chapter 173-304 WAC as referenced in NWCAA 104.1 (minimum functional standards for solid waste handling) and chapter 173-400 WAC as referenced in NWCAA 104.1 (general regulations for air pollution sources).
(D) CURTAILMENTS. During episodes or periods of impaired air quality, a responsible person for the fire must contact the permitting agency and/or any other designated source for information on the burning conditions for each day.
(1) No outdoor fire shall be ignited in a geographical area where:
(a) Ecology has declared an air pollution episode;
(b) Ecology or the NWCAA has declared an impaired air quality condition for the county; or
(c) The appropriate fire protection authority has declared a fire danger burn ban, unless the NWCAA grants an exception.
(2) A responsible person for an outdoor fire shall extinguish the fire when an air pollution episode, an impaired air quality condition, or fire danger burn ban that applies to the burning is declared.
(a) Smoke visible from all types of outdoor burning, except land clearing burning, after a time period of three hours has elapsed from the time an air pollution episode, impaired air quality condition, or fire danger burn ban is declared shall constitute prima facie evidence of unlawful outdoor burning.
(b) Smoke visible from land clearing burning after a time period of eight hours has elapsed from the time an air pollution episode, impaired air quality condition, or fire danger burn ban is declared shall constitute prima facie evidence of unlawful outdoor burning.
(E) UNLAWFUL OUTDOOR BURNING/NUISANCE. It is unlawful for any person to cause or allow outdoor burning that causes an emission of smoke or any other air contaminant that is detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of any person, that causes damage to property or business, or that causes a nuisance.
(F) BURNING IN OUTDOOR CONTAINERS. Outdoor containers (such as burn barrels and other wood waste incinerators not regulated under NWCAA Section 458, used for outdoor burning, must be constructed of concrete or masonry with a completely enclosed combustion chamber and equipped with a permanently attached spark arrester constructed of iron, heavy wire mesh, or other noncombustible material with openings not larger than 0.5 inch, and they may only be used in compliance with this section.
(G) OTHER GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(1) A person capable of extinguishing the fire must attend it at all times and the fire must be extinguished before leaving it.
(2) No fires are to be within 50 feet of structures.
(3) Permission from a landowner or owner's designated representative must be obtained before starting an outdoor fire.
502.5OUTDOOR BURNING PERMIT PROGRAM/REQUIREMENTS
(A) PERMIT PROGRAM.
(1) The NWCAA may consult with fire protection authorities, conservation districts, or counties to determine if any of these agencies are capable and willing to serve as the permitting agency and/or enforcing agency for particular types of burning.
(2) The NWCAA may enter into agreements with any capable agencies to identify the permitting agencies and enforcing agencies for each type of burning and determine the type of permit appropriate for each where a permit is required.
(3) Permitting agencies may use a verbal, electronic, written, or general permit established by rule for any type of outdoor burning that requires a permit.
(4) A written permit should be used, where feasible, for land clearing burning, storm or flood debris burning in areas where residential burning and land clearing burning are prohibited under NWCAA 502.6 (A), (B), or (C), and other outdoor burning (except any other outdoor burning necessary to protect public health and safety).
(5) Any person having an outstanding penalty obligation to the NWCAA as a result of a violation of Section 502, except under appeal to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) or other judicial body, shall be denied additional outdoor burning permits until the remaining balance is paid.
(B) TYPES OF BURNING THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT. Except as otherwise stated, a permit is required for the following types of outdoor burning:
(1) Residential burning (except in nonurban areas of any county with an unincorporated population of less than 50,000);
(2) Land clearing burning;
(3) Storm or flood debris burning;
(4) Tumbleweed burning (except in counties with a population of less than 250,000;
(5) Weed abatement fires;
(6) Firefighting instruction fires for training to fight structural fires in urban growth areas and cities with a population over 10,000, and all other firefighting instruction fires, except:
(a) Firefighting instruction fires for training to fight structural fires as provided in RCW
52.12.150;
(b) Aircraft crash rescue fires as provided in RCW 70A.15.5180((70.94.650(5) as referenced in NWCAA 104.1)); and
(c) Forest fires;
(7) Rare and endangered plant regeneration fires;
(8) Indian ceremonial fires (except on lands within the exterior boundaries of Indian reservations unless provided for by intergovernmental agreement);
(9) Recreational fires with a total fuel area greater than three feet in diameter and/or two feet in height (except in the nonurban areas of counties with an unincorporated population of less than 50,000); and
(10) Other outdoor burning if specifically authorized by the NWCAA.
(C) FEES.
The fee for outdoor burning permits shall be as established in NWCAA 324.10. The amount of the fee will not exceed the level necessary to recover the costs of administering and enforcing a permit program.
(D) REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL BURNING.
The following conditions apply to all residential burning allowed without a permit under NWCAA 502.5 (B)(1) or allowed under a general, verbal, written, or electronic permit. Persons unable to meet these requirements and the requirements in NWCAA 502.4 must apply for and receive a written permit before burning. Failure to comply with all applicable requirements voids any applicable permit.
(1) A responsible person for the fire must contact the permitting agency and/or any other designated source for information on the burning conditions of each day.
(2) A fire may not be ignited, and must be extinguished, if an air pollution episode, impaired air quality condition, or fire danger burn ban that applies to the burning, is declared for the area.
(3) The fire must not include prohibited materials as listed in NWCAA 502.4(B).
(4) The fire must not include materials hauled from another property.
(5) If any emission from the fire is detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of any person, if it causes damage to property or business, or if it causes a nuisance, the fire must be extinguished immediately.
(6) A person capable of extinguishing the fire must attend it at all times and the fire must be extinguished before leaving it.
(7) No fires are to be within 50 feet of structures.
(8) Permission from a landowner, or owner's designated representative, must be obtained before starting an outdoor fire.
(9) Any burn pile must not be larger than four feet in diameter and three feet high.
(10) Only one pile at a time may be burned, and each pile must be extinguished before lighting another.
(11) If an outdoor container is used for burning, it must be constructed of concrete or masonry with a completely enclosed combustion chamber and equipped with a permanently attached spark arrester constructed of iron, heavy wire mesh, or other noncombustible material with openings not larger than 0.5 inch.
(12) No fire is allowed within 500 feet of forest slash.
(E) FIELD RESPONSE AND ENFORCEMENT
(1) Any agency that issues permits, or adopts a general permit for any type of burning in an area, is responsible for field response to outdoor burning complaints and enforcement of all permit conditions and requirements unless another agency has agreed to be responsible.
(2) Except for enforcing Section 502.4 (D)(1)(c)(((E)(1)(d))), the NWCAA will be responsible for enforcing any requirements that apply to burning that are prohibited or exempt from permits in areas of its jurisdiction, unless another agency agrees to be responsible.
(3) Permitting agencies and enforcing agencies may require that corrective action be taken, and may assess penalties to the extent allowed if they discover noncompliance.
502.6AREAS AND TYPES OF PROHIBITED OUTDOOR BURNING.
(A) NONATTAINMENT AREAS. Residential burning and land clearing burning shall not occur in any areas that exceed federal or state ambient air quality standards for pollutants emitted by outdoor burning. These areas are limited to all nonattainment areas and former nonattainment areas for carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.
(B) URBAN GROWTH AREAS. No person shall cause or allow residential burning and land clearing burning in any urban growth areas.
(C) CITIES OVER 10,000 POPULATION. Residential burning and land clearing burning shall not occur in any cities having a population greater than 10,000 people. Cities having this population must be identified by using the most current population estimates available for each city.
(D) HIGH DENSITY AREAS. Land clearing burning shall not occur in any area having a general population density of 1,000 or more persons per square mile. All areas having this density must be identified by using the most current population data available for each census block group and dividing by the land area of the block group in square miles.
(E) AREAS WITH A REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE TO BURNING. Residential burning, land clearing burning, storm or flood debris burning, tumbleweed burning, weed abatement fires and other outdoor burning of organic refuse shall not occur in any area, including the areas identified in subsections 502.6(A) through 502.6(D), when a reasonable alternative for that type of burning is found to exist in the area for that type of burning. A reasonable alternative for a particular type of burning exists when the alternative is available and reasonably economical and less harmful to the environment as defined in WAC 173-425-040(5) as referenced in NWCAA 104.1.
(F) No person shall cause or allow outdoor burning at permanently-located business establishments excluding land clearing operations.
PASSED: January 8, 1969 AMENDED: June 14, 2001, July 10, 2003, July 14, 2005, November 8, 2007, September 11, 2014, August 8, 2024, May 8, 2025
Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the Northwest Clean Air Agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. AMENDATORY SECTION
SECTION 520 - SULFUR COMPOUNDS IN FUEL
520.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to burn, sell, or make available for sale for burning in fuel burning equipment, or refuse burning equipment, within the jurisdiction of the NWCAA, any fuel containing a weight of sulfur in excess of that allowed by Subsection 520.11, 520.12, 520.13, 520.14 and 520.15.
520.11 Distillate fuel oil classified as Grade No. 1 (ASTM designation: D396-69) shall contain three tenths percent (0.3%) or less sulfur by weight.
520.12 Distillate fuel oil classified as Grade No. 2 (ASTM Designation: D396-69) shall contain five-tenths percent (0.5%) or less sulfur by weight.
520.13 All other grades or kinds of fuel oil intended for use in fuel oil burning equipment including ASTM Designation: D396-69 Grades No. 4, 5, and 6 shall contain two percent (2.0%) or less sulfur by weight.
520.14 Gaseous fuel shall contain 50 grains (((412 ppm @ standard conditions))) or less sulfur per 100 standard cubic feet except that this subsection shall not apply to those sources subject to Section 460.
520.15 Solid fuel (such as, but not limited to, coal, coke, and refuse) shall contain two percent (2.0%) or less sulfur by weight.
520.2 This section does not apply to:
a. Ocean going vessels;
b. Used oil burned in space heaters that have a maximum heat input of less than 0.4 million BTU/hr; and
c. Persons in the business of collecting used oil from residences authorized by a city, county, or the Utilities and Transportation Commission.
AMENDED: April 14, 1993, May 11, 1995, May 9, 1996, May 8, 2025
AMENDATORY SECTION
SECTION 580.2 - Petroleum Refineries
580.21 This section shall apply to all petroleum refineries with a crude oil or feed stock capacity greater than three hundred eighteen thousand liters (2,000 barrels) per day.
580.22 It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the disposal of VOC from the vacuum producing systems covered under this subsection except as follows:
580.221 Noncondensable VOC shall be piped to an appropriate firebox, incinerator or to a closed refinery system.
580.222 Hot wells associated with contact condensers shall be tightly covered and the collected VOC introduced into a closed refinery
580.23 Reserved ((It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the operation of a wastewater separator with annual VOC emissions estimated by the NWCAA to exceed 25 tons, when such operation does not comply as follows.
580.231 Wastewater separator forebays shall incorporate a floating pontoon or fixed solid cover with all openings sealed totally enclosing the compartmented liquid contents, or a floating pontoon or a double deck type cover equipped with closure seals between the cover edge and compartment wall. Collected vapors shall not be discharged to the atmosphere.
580.232 Accesses for gauging and sampling shall be designed to minimize VOC emissions during actual use. All access points shall be closed with suitable covers when not in use.))
580.24 It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow a process unit turnaround which does not comply with the following conditions:
580.241 The VOC contained in a process unit to be depressurized for turnaround shall be introduced to a closed refinery system, combusted by a flare, or vented to a disposal system.
580.242 The VOC pressure in a process unit following depressurization for turnaround shall be less than five pounds per square inch gauge (psig) before venting to the ambient air.
580.243 The owner or operator shall keep a record of each process unit turnaround not in compliance with 580.242.
580.244 The owner or operator shall keep a record of each process unit turnaround listing the date the unit was shut down, the estimated vessel VOC concentration when the VOC was first emitted, and the estimated total quantity of VOC emitted.
580.25 Equipment for the reduction, collection or disposal of VOC shall be maintained and operated in a manner commensurate with accepted industrial practices.
580.26 Any petroleum refinery process unit, storage facility or other operation (including drains) subject to federal VOC or HAP standards (NSPS, Benzene Waste NESHAP, Petroleum Refinery NESHAP, etc.) is exempt from the requirements of NWCAA 580.3 through NWCAA 580.10. Such exemption shall take effect upon the date of required compliance with the federal standard.
PASSED: December 13, 1989 AMENDED: February 8, 1996, May 8, 2025
REPEALER
NWCAA Section 580.11 (Scope, Registration, Reporting and Notice of Construction) is being repealed.
AMENDATORY SECTION
580.3 High Vapor Pressure Volatile Organic Compound Storage Tanks
580.31 Subsections 580.32 through 580.37 shall apply to all tanks which store volatile organic compounds with a true vapor pressure as stored greater than 10.5 kilopascals (((Kpa))) (kPa) (1.5 pounds per square inch (psia)), but less than ((77.7 Kpa)) 76.6 kPa (11.1 psia) at calendar-month average storage temperatures and have a capacity greater than one hundred fifty thousand liters (40,000 gallons).
580.32 It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow storage of volatile organic compounds as specified in Section 580.31 unless each storage tank or container:
580.321 Meets the equipment specifications and maintenance requirements of the Federal Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources - Storage Vessels for Petroleum Liquids (40 CFR 60, subpart Kb); or
580.322 Is retrofitted with a floating roof or internal floating cover using a metallic seal or a nonmetallic resilient seal at least meeting the equipment specifications of the Federal standards referred to in 580.321 of this subsection, or its equivalent; or
580.323 Is fitted with a floating roof or internal floating cover meeting be manufacturers equipment specifications in effect when it was installed.
580.33 All seals used with equipment subject to this section are to be maintained in good operating condition and the seal fabric shall contain no visible holes, tears or other openings.
580.34 All openings not related to safety are to be sealed with suitable closures.
580.35 Tanks used for the storage of gasoline in bulk gasoline plants and equipped with vapor balance systems as required in 580.52 shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
580.36 All tanks not exempted by subsection 580.26 shall meet the monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements of 40 CFR 60 Subpart Kb, with the exception of the monitoring report submittal requirements of 60.115b (b)(2). Compliance with subsection 580.36 shall be no later than December 31, 1999.
580.37 All tanks exempt by subsection 580.26 and all tanks subject to Section 580.3 or 580.9 shall be exempt from Section 560 of this Regulation.
580.38 All tanks storing volatile organic compounds with a true vapor pressure greater than ((77.7)) 76.6 kPa (11.1 psia) shall be equipped with a vapor recovery system.
PASSED: December 13, 1989 AMENDED: May 14, 1998, November 12, 1998, May 8, 2025