The bill amends RCW 78.44.085 to establish new surface mine reclamation permit fees and clarify the application process for various types of permits. It specifies that applicants for a revision of an existing reclamation permit, an expansion of a permitted surface mine, a new reclamation permit, or the combination of existing permits must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $4,500. Additionally, the annual permit fee for public or private permit holders is set at $3,500, while public permit holders for mines used exclusively for public works projects will pay a reduced fee of $2,500.

The bill also includes provisions to ensure that production records, mineral assessments, and trade secrets submitted to the department remain confidential and are not subject to public records requests. It establishes that failure to pay annual fees may lead to suspension of surface mining operations or cancellation of the reclamation permit. Furthermore, the department is granted the authority to refer delinquent fees to a collection agency, which may impose its own fees for collection. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the permitting process and ensure compliance with fee requirements for surface mining operations.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 78.44.085