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County says ORCA revisions on residential burn permits would have limited local impact; agency faces funding shortfall
Summary
Thurston County staff told commissioners the county largely complies with the proposed ORCA changes to residential burn permits, but the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCA) is facing an unexpected state-level funding cut that could create a $345,000 shortfall and prompt proposals for small permit fees.
Thurston County officials reported Aug. 20 that proposed changes to ORCA's residential burn-permit program would have little practical effect in the county because existing local rules already mirror the suggested revisions.
Commissioner Emily Klaus briefed the board on ORCA (the regional clean-air authority) discussions about updating residential burn permits. County staff said Thurston County is already governed by ORCA rule 6.2.08 (residential burn permits) and has an application process in place, so county operations would not change substantially if the regional rule is amended.
ORCA representatives told participating jurisdictions of an unexpected state-level cut to a funding source that supports outdoor burning programs; the board was informed of a potential $345,000 gap that ORCA and partners are evaluating. To close shortfalls, ORCA members discussed modest jurisdictional assessments on permits (examples cited by meeting participants ranged from $5 to $10). Meeting participants expressed concern that even small fees could suppress permit compliance and drive some residents to burn without permits.
County staff also noted enforcement and compliance challenges: ORCA enforces air-quality-based burn bans, while the county imposes weather- and fire-safety-based burn bans, and cross-jurisdictional enforcement of minor residential permits is administratively difficult. County staff reported Thurston issued about 3,100 residential yard-waste burn permits last year, the highest volume among participating counties.
Board members asked staff to relay local perspectives to ORCA; no formal county policy change or fee was adopted at the meeting.
