Public to comment on permit fee changes for burning on the farm

The public has an opportunity to submit comments on a proposed change in the cost of getting a burn permit for agricultural burning in Washington state.

The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is proposing the change that was determined by the Agricultural Burning Practices and Research Task Force (task force), which was formed in the early 1990s to direct funding for research into alternatives to field burning and develop best management practices.

The 2012 Legislature approved the fee increase during the special session that ended April 11. The new fees would go into effect July 1.

At its...