A. Upon adoption of a public benefit rating system, the Department shall re-rate the existing open space land current use assessment program participants according to the public benefit rating system in determining whether an application should be approved or disapproved. Re-rating of all existing program participants shall be performed in conjunction with the physical inspection cycle as funds become available or when the property is sold, whichever comes first.

B. The process for re-rating existing open space land current use assessment program participants under the public benefit rating system shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions for processing a new application for open space land current use assessment, except filing fees shall be waived.

C. Properties which do not qualify under the public benefit rating system and whose owners choose not to be removed shall not be removed from the open space land current use assessment program, but shall be rated according to the open space land current use assessment valuation schedule.

D. Owners of properties classified under the existing open space land current use assessment program shall be notified of their new assessed value in the same manner as provided in RCW 84.40.045. These lands may be removed from classification under the existing open space land current use assessment program without payment of penalties, back taxes, and interest upon request of the owner, within 30 days of notification of value under the public benefit rating system.