(1) Any person desiring to make use of a portion of the ocean beaches for a recreation event that will require the closure of the area to certain conflicting recreational uses, may apply to the director for a special recreation event permit. The director, or designee, may issue such a permit after consultation with the appropriate local government, if the event does not unduly interfere with normal public recreation. Such authorization shall include the closure of the specified area to recreational activities, including motor vehicle traffic, which are determined to have the potential to interfere with the event or which could risk the safety of the recreating public or the special event participants. However, no such authorization may result in the unreasonable exclusion of pedestrian recreationists from the specified portion of the ocean beach; all events authorized under this permit shall be open to public participation and/or observation.

(2) In determining whether to issue the permit, the director or designee will review the proposal for consistency with established approval criteria developed by the agency, which are designed to ensure the appropriateness of the event to the ocean beaches, and the basis for any associated public recreation restrictions. The criteria are available upon request from the agency.

(3) A special recreation event permit shall be issued only for recreational events where there is a reasonable expectation that a minimum of twenty persons will participate. The event must be oriented towards a recreational pursuit. Not more than three permits will be issued to a given applicant for the same event during a one-year period. The recreation activity must be consistent with the seashore conservation area (RCW 79A.05.600 through 79A.05.630), and may include an activity otherwise excluded under this chapter. Special recreation events shall not exceed three days or seventy-two hours.

(4) Persons or organizations that desire to conduct a special recreation event on the ocean beaches shall submit a permit application provided by the director and appropriate fees to the park where the event is proposed to take place.

(5) If the agency determines it is necessary, the applicant must submit a completed environmental checklist along with the application. Upon request, the agency may assist the applicant in completing the environmental checklist and may request compensation in accordance with agency State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) rules, chapter 352-11 WAC.

(6) Permit applications must be submitted at least sixty days in advance of the proposed activity to allow for staff review, agency coordination, and to comply with SEPA review requirements. The sixty day application filing requirements may be waived in extenuating circumstances.

(a) The permittee must pay any fees published by state parks for the use of park lands or facilities. The director or designee shall determine the need for any fees necessary to cover costs incurred by the agency, as well as the need for any bond, damage deposit, or liability insurance arising from any potential hazards associated with the character of the event. Any such fees, bond, damage deposit, or liability insurance shall be provided prior to the issuance of the permit.

(b) If additional costs are incurred by the commission resulting from the event, the applicant shall reimburse the commission for such costs in a timely manner. If the additional costs are not paid, the director or designee may recover such costs from the bond or damage deposits provided if previously required. Any funds remaining from the bond or damage deposit shall be returned to the applicant.

(7) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.