Fees

The Dam Safety Office is charged with managing any dam that can store 10-acre-feet (3.26 million gallons) or more of liquid.

By law, the Department of Ecology must collect the following fees:

• Construction permit fees: for examining plans and specifications for dams before they are built or modified.
• Periodic inspection fees: for inspecting dams after they are built.
• Other fees:
  • To enforce dam safety requirements, Ecology may also impose sanctions through regulatory orders or civil penalties.
  • When an emergency condition poses an imminent threat to life, Ecology may take necessary actions. All costs incurred by Ecology are charged to the dam's owner.
  • The cost of an expert opinion is negotiable.

Pending Fee Increases

Ecology is currently undergoing rulemaking to raise the fees explained in the July 2009 Publication and the four linked documents below, as directed by the 2011 Legislature in 2ESHB1087.  For more information on this rule amendment, see Dam Safety Fee Rulemaking.

For more information on current fees, navigate using the menu to the left or by clicking a link below. You can also get complete information in the July 2009 Publication “Dam Safety Fees”.

• Construction Fees (New or Modified Dams)
• Periodic Inspection Fees
• Fee Exceptions
• How to Pay Your Fees