ORCAA’s proposed burn fee hike could sting in Thurston County  

Landowners in Thurston County, who rely on fire to clear their land, could soon face a steep hike in fees for burn permits.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) is proposing a more than 100% increase for its burn permit fees to address revenue shortfall in permit issuances. 

The agency enforces air rules in six western Washington counties, and it plans to raise the fee for Land Clearing Burn (LCB) permits to $275 per acre from $131 per acre. The fee hike appears in ORCAA’s draft fiscal year 2026 budget.

The agency says the change is necessary and long overdue. 

“ORCAA has not increased the land clearing burn permit fee more than the annual CPI increase for more than 10 years,” according to an April 4 memo signed by Compliance Manager Mike Shults and Executive Director Jeff Johnston. 

Officials also acknowledged the program has run at a loss for more than a decade, with current fees falling short of covering its actual cost of implementation. 

“Analyzing data over the past 3 years shows that it costs the agency approximately $275 per permit to execute the program,” the memo states. 

Proposal 

To justify the increase, ORCAA points to its legal mandate. 

Under Rule 3.4(b) of ORCAA’s Outdoor Burning regulations, the agency is required to charge enough to cover “the direct and indirect costs” of the permit program, wherein it includes salaries, vehicles, office work, and enforcement. "

The only adjustments came through cost-of-living increases, tied to the consumer price index. 

The revised rate would more than double the cost per acre for permit applicants, especially in Thurston County, where almost half of all such permits are issued, according to the agency. 

According to ORCAA’s own internal data, “Thurston County holds the majority of LCB permits (49%) followed by Clallam (36%), Grays Harbor (12%), Jefferson (5%) and Pacific (1%) counties.” 

More than 90% of the 225 permits issued each year cover just 1 acre. That fee hike will hit individual property owners and developers directly, particularly in Thurston County.

Now, ORCAA wants to bring the fee up to match what it actually costs to do the work. If the number of permits stays the same, revenue would go to $61,875 from $30,105. 

$3.58M spending plan 

The proposed fee increase comes with ORCAA’s budget strategy for the coming fiscal year. 

The fee proposal is part of the $3,580,636 budget package for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget includes a 4% rise in total expenditures and a planned $446,518 withdrawal from its “contingency reserves” to cover shortfalls in other areas. 

As of July 2024, ORCAA’s contingency fund stood at $4.2 million. If the fiscal year 2026 draft is adopted as written, the balance then will drop to $3.6 million by the end of fiscal year 2026.  

“The fund serves as a hedge against revenue volatility, economic downturn, rental income loss, increased pension costs, staff turnover, and retraining,” according to the April 3 budget document. 

Most of ORCAA’s proposed spending, about 75% or $2.7 million, is earmarked for salaries and benefits for its 18.2 full-time equivalent employees. One of those positions, the financial specialist, will be vacant for another year. 

The agency’s nonpayroll expenses total $497,000 and include legal support, office operations, technical upgrades, and equipment replacement. 

A large portion, $150,000, is allocated to replace the agency’s internal database. A vendor contract is expected to be awarded by June 30.

The new system will improve how permits are “tracked, how enforcement is logged, and how data is shared with the public.” 

Less federal help 

Other small fee adjustments include a 2.3% inflationary increase to rates charged for asbestos, demolition and emissions, as well as to the annual per capita fees paid by counties and cities, including Thurston County.

ORCAA also faces tightening financial support from outside sources. 

“Due to the uncertainty occurring at the federal level, projected Core federal grant revenue has been reduced by 20%,” the agency cautioned in its draft documents.  

ORCAA is projecting a 20% cut to its federal core grant amid national funding instability. Combined with state grants, those external funds comprise 17% of the agency’s budget. They support monitoring, education and programs, such as the Woodsmoke Reduction Initiative. 

The Cheeka Peak Core air monitoring station, which is funded by the EPA and one of two NCore-certified air stations in Washington, will also be relocated to Bahokus Peak due to chronic power disruptions at its original site. 

Multi-year grants from the Department of Ecology and the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council will continue, but will still be restricted to specific programs and cannot be used for general operations. 

To mitigate reductions, ORCAA will continue to invest through the Thurston County Investment Pool, though earnings are projected to decline. As of December 2024, the pool’s 12-month average return was 2.85%, but returns are expected to dip as funds are drawn down.  

Additional funds include $8,000 for OlyMAP, a program that works to reduce fire risks in unsanctioned homeless encampments; $15,000 to update ORCAA’s strategic plan, which has not been revised since 2018; and $12,000 for staff development and training. 

Before any changes are approved, ORCAA is providing a window for the public to voice concerns, support or recommendations. 

The draft budget is now accessible for public review. ORCAA will hold a hearing on the budget and the burn fee increase on June 11 at its office in Olympia at 2940 Limited Lane NW. The hearing will also be streamed live through Zoom. People can send in written comments until noon on June 10. 

The agency affirms that all proceedings are conducted in adherence with ORCAA’s Regulations and applicable laws of the state of Washington and the federal government.