WAC 222-38-030   Handling, storage, and application of fertilizers.  *(1) Storage and loading areas. Storage and loading areas should be located where accidental spillage of fertilizers will not enter surface water or wetlands. If any fertilizer is spilled, immediate appropriate procedures shall be taken to contain it.

     *(2) Riparian management zone and wetland management zone. Fertilizer treatments within a riparian management zone or wetland management zone shall be by hand unless the department has approved a site specific plan with another method of treatment.

     *(3) Aerial application of fertilizer.

     (a) Proposed fertilization units shall be planned to avoid and to minimize the direct or indirect introduction of fertilizer into waters and wetlands.

     (b) Leave a 25 foot buffer from the edge of the channel migration zone on all Type S and F Waters, except as noted in (f) of this subsection.

     (c) When the helicopter flight path during fertilizer application is parallel to a water course or the WMZ edge, the centerline of the initial swath should be adjusted to prevent direct application within the buffers or WMZs.

     (d) Leave at least a 200 foot buffer strip around residences and a 100 foot buffer strip adjacent to lands used for agriculture unless such residence or farmland is owned by the forest landowner or the aerial application is acceptable to the resident or landowner.

     (e) The landowner shall identify for the operator the units to be fertilized and the untreated areas within the units with appropriately marked aerial photos or detailed planimetric maps. Before application of the fertilizer, an over-flight of the area shall be made by the pilot with the marked photos or maps.

     (f) Where the department has been provided information by the department of ecology indicating that water quality in downstream waters is likely to be impaired by entry of fertilizer into waters, such waters shall be protected by site specific conditioning.

     *(4) Ground and hand application of fertilizers. Prevent fertilizer from entering Type A and B Wetlands and all typed waters, except segments of Type Np and Ns Waters with no surface water present.

     *(5) Reporting of fertilizer spills. All fertilizer spills involving streams, lakes, wetlands, or other waters of the state shall be immediately reported to the department of ecology. Emergency telephone numbers for reporting spills shall be available at the department's regional offices.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW, RCW 76.09.040,[76.09.]050 , [76.09.]370, 76.13.120(9). 01-12-042, § 222-38-030, filed 5/30/01, effective 7/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 93-12-001, § 222-38-030, filed 5/19/93, effective 6/19/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040, 76.09.050 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 92-15-011, § 222-38-030, filed 7/2/92, effective 8/2/92.]