Are HPA Fees On The Way?

Here we go again!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has, through the offices of Representatives Zack Hudgins and Ross Hunter, introduced HB 2135, a bill which, if passed and signed into law, would allow WDFW to "charge  a  one  hundred  fifty  dollar application  fee  for  all  applications  for  hydraulic  project  permits under  this  chapter  to  recover  the  costs  for  processing  permit applications."

Needless to say, since the recently approved beach mining requires an HPA, it would cost $150 just to apply to go gold panning at the ocean if this bill is enacted, making the activity prohibitively expensive.  Can you say, "Hard won, easily lost?"

Please feel free to use the links above to contact Representatives Hudgins and Hunter, if you are so inclined, and to read the text of the bill and follow its progress in the legislature.  At the moment, the bill is in the House Ways & Means Committee.