(a)
Any person who owns timberlands which are to be devoted to uses other than the growing of timber shall file an application for conversion with the board. The board shall, by regulation, prescribe the procedures for, form, and content of, the application. An application for a timberland conversion permit shall be accompanied by an application fee, payable to the department, in an amount determined by the board pursuant to subdivision (b).
(b)
The board shall establish, by regulation, a system of graduated timberland conversion permit fees to finance the cost of administering this article.