Dam Safety Fees Rulemaking

Rulemaking

In February 2012, the Department of Ecology amended Chapter 173-175 WAC, Dam Safety to increase dam safety fees.  RCW 90.04.470 requires Ecology to collect fees to cover certain costs of providing dam safety services.  In 2011, the Legislature passed Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1087 that directed Ecology to raise dam safety fees:

• As much as 35 percent in Fiscal Year 2012.
• As much as 4.62 percent in Fiscal Year 2013.

The 2012 amendment increased fees for:

• Plan review and construction inspection for new dams and changes to existing dams. The 35 percent increase takes effect March 29, 2012.  The additional 4.62 percent increase begins the start of the state’s Fiscal Year 2013, on July 1, 2012.
• Ecology’s periodic inspection of existing high and significant hazard dams.  Owners of significant and high hazard dams will first see the combined 35 and 4.62 percent (compounded) increases in the July 2012 billing of periodic inspection fees.

There are currently more than 1,000 state-regulated dams in Washington, including more than 380 that pose a high or significant threat to human health and safety if they were to fail.

More Information

• Current Rulemaking Chapter 173-175 WAC - Dam Safety - CR-103 rule adoption documents including the Concise Explanatory Statement
• Dam Safety Proposed Rule to Increase Fees - Public Hearing Presentation by Benno Bonkowski  December 7-8, 2011
• Ecology News Release - Ecology taking public comment on proposed fee increases for safety reviews and inspections of state-regulated dams  November 1, 2011

Contact

Benno Bonkowski
Department of Ecology
Dam Safety Office
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Office: 360-407-6603
Fax: 360-407-6574
benno.bonkowski@ecy.wa.gov