WSR 16-20-063
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Filed September 30, 2016, 3:47 p.m.]
Continuance of WSR 15-18-071.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 15-06-051.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 16-470 WAC, QuarantineAgricultural pests, the agency is proposing to amend the apple maggot quarantine by:
(1) Adding municipal solid waste, yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes to the list of commodities regulated under the apple maggot quarantine;
(2) Establishing a special permit to allow transportation and disposition of municipal solid waste from the area under quarantine for disposal at a solid waste landfill or disposal facility in the apple maggot and plum curculio pest-free area; and
(3) Establishing a special permit to allow transportation and disposition of yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes from the area under quarantine for disposal at a solid waste landfill or treatment at a composting facility in the apple maggot and plum curculio pest-free area.
Hearing Location(s): Lincoln County Public Works, 27234 SR 25 North, Main Conference Room, Davenport, WA 99122, on November 8, 2016, at 1:30 p.m.; at the Washington Department of Agriculture, 21 North First Avenue, Conference Room 238, Yakima, WA 98902, on November 9, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.; and at the Washington Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Conference Room 259, Olympia, WA 98504, on November 10, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 30, 2016.
Submit Written Comments to: Henri Gonzales, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, e-mail wsdarulescomments@agr.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2092, by November 10, 2015 [2016].
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) receptionist by November 1, 2016, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The agency has determined that municipal solid waste, yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes are host mediums for apple maggot because they may contain apples, crabapple, and native hawthorn and should be treated as regulated commodities subject to the apple maggot quarantine. The agency is proposing to modify the apple maggot quarantine to include these articles as regulated commodities and also allow the solid waste industry the ability to transport and dispose of municipal solid waste, yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes in the pest-free area under a special permit that stipulates the conditions necessary in order to protect the tree fruit industry from a potentially devastating invasive pest.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The apple maggot is an invasive insect pest native to eastern North America. Its hosts include apples, crabapple, and native hawthorn. In its larval development stage it can cause extensive damage to fruit. It is economically significant to the Washington apple crop not only due to its ability to cause physical crop damage, but also because fruit from demonstrated apple maggot free areas or locations has greater market access for international shipments. The exclusion of apple maggot from the pest-free areas of the state is a priority pursuant to chapter 17.24 RCW. Chapter 17.24 RCW directs the agency to protect the agricultural and horticultural industries of the state by regulating the movement and quarantining infested areas to prevent the public and private costs that result when an infestation becomes established. As a result, a quarantine was established in 1984 to limit the distribution of this harmful pest. In order to protect the tree fruit industry and also to address the needs of the solid waste industry, the agency is proposing to issue special permits for municipal solid waste, yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes that specify the requirements to address the risk associated with transportation and disposition of these host mediums in the apple maggot pest-free areas.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 17.24.011, 17.24.041, and chapter 34.05 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 17.24.011, 17.24.041.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: WSDA, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: James Marra, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-2071.
A small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW.
Small Business Economic Impact Statement
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED RULES: Chapter 17.24 RCW mandates "a strong system" to protect the forest, agricultural, horticultural, floricultural, and apiary industries of the state from the impact of insect pests, plant pathogens, noxious weeds, and bee pests and infestations. The Washington state department of agriculture (department) is charged with implementing that mandate by excluding plant and bee pests and diseases from the pest-free areas of the state through regulation of movement and quarantine of infested areas. RCW 17.24.041 authorizes the director of the department to adopt quarantine areas by rule and to prohibit the movement of all regulated commodities from the quarantined areas.
Currently, chapter 16-470 WAC establishes quarantine areas and pest-free areas for apple maggot. The apple maggot is an invasive insect pest native to eastern North America. Its hosts include apples, crabapple, and native hawthorn. In its larval development stage it can cause extensive damage to fruit. The potential for damage is economically significant to the Washington apple crop because the apple maggot can cause extensive physical crop damage and because fruit from demonstrated apple maggot-free areas has greater market access for international shipments.
Municipal solid waste, yard debris, organic feedstock, organic materials, and agricultural wastes are host mediums for apple maggot because they may contain apples, crabapple, and native hawthorn and should be treated as regulated commodities subject to the apple maggot quarantine. These materials pose an unacceptable risk if allowed to move from infested to pest-free areas as documented in the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for Apple Maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) Moving on Municipal Green Waste into the Pest-Free Area (PFA) of the State of Washington, USA, Dr. C. E. Sansford, Mr. V. Mastro, Mr. J. R. Reynolds, April, 2016.*
The department is proposing to amend the apple maggot quarantine in chapter 16-470 WAC to protect the tree fruit industry in the state. The proposed rule adds municipal solid waste, yard debris, organic feedstock, organic materials, and agricultural wastes to the list of commodities regulated under the apple maggot quarantine. A special permit is established to allow the solid waste industry to transport municipal solid wastes from an area under quarantine and dispose of them at a solid waste landfill or disposal facility in the pest-free area. And, a special permit is established to allow transportation of yard debris, organic feedstock, organic materials, and agricultural wastes ("municipal green waste") from an area under quarantine to treatment at a composting facility in the pest-free area.
SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT (SBEIS): The following SBEIS was prepared in compliance with the Regulatory Fairness Act, chapter 19.85 RCW.
The purpose of chapter 17.24 RCW includes providing a "strong system" to protect the tree fruit industry from insect pests. The proposed rules define two categories of municipal waste originating in the quarantine area as regulated articles which may not be transported to or disposed of in the designated pest-free area for apple maggot unless the owner obtains a special permit.
The proposed rule imposes no new regulatory requirements and no new costs on any tree fruit producer.
Any new regulatory requirements or costs imposed on the waste industry are necessary to protect the tree fruit industry from introduction of apple maggot through transport and disposition of waste from the quarantine area into the pest-free area. The department will determine the special permit conditions on a case-by-case basis. Costs associated with meeting requirements in a special permit will be different for each category of waste situation and may be minimal in some situations.
Industry and Stakeholder Participation: In September 2014, the department formed a working group for the purpose of soliciting input from industry and other interested stakeholders on the creation of terms and conditions of a special permit that would allow the transportation of green waste across the apple maggot quarantine boundary. The working group included representatives of three compost facilities located in the apple maggot pest-free area that currently import green waste from the apple maggot quarantine area. Also included in the working group were representatives of the apple industry, Grant County Solid Waste, Washington State University Extension, the Washington state department of ecology, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The working group conducted onsite visits of five compost facilities to review current practices and to assess the impacts of a special permit. The department held three working group meetings and received fourteen written comments discussing the conditions of the permit and their potential impacts. Numerous individual meetings also occurred between the department and members of the apple industry, the compost industry, and other government agencies to discuss the conditions of the permit. In addition, the department has maintained an e-mail distribution list of over sixty members to provide updates and e-mail exchanges on the progress of the rule change and the special permit.
Economic Impact on Apple Growers: During these discussions representatives of the apple industry have repeatedly expressed concerns that the transport and disposal of any organic wastes from the infested quarantine area into the pest-free area could have adverse economic impacts to the apple industry. Municipal organic waste moving from the quarantined area is likely to contain large quantities of waste from backyard fruit, widely acknowledged as the primary pathway for introducing apple maggot into the pest-free area. The expansion of the apple maggot through such waste operations could have severe economic impacts on the state's apple growers. Apple maggot is a regulated pest by many of the state's international trading partners. Expansion of the infestation area will likely result in the imposition of costly restrictions on the export of apples. In addition, production costs would increase due to increased demands on the apple maggot certification program, increases in inspection fees, and the increased use of control measures. Based on the 2013 crop year data, the apple industry contributed an estimated $2.19 billion a year to the state's economy.
Economic Impact on Solid Waste Facilities: Under the proposed rule, municipal solid waste becomes a regulated article which may not be transported to or disposed of in the designated pest-free area unless the owner obtains a special permit. A special permit is established to allow the solid waste industry to transport municipal solid wastes from an area under quarantine and dispose of them at a solid waste landfill or disposal facility in the pest-free area.
The solid waste facilities impacted by the proposed rules are operated by governmental entities except for one solid waste facility operated by a commercial facility. Conditions of the permit go beyond current Washington state department of ecology rules for regulating pests and disease in solid municipal waste. Many of the conditions of the permit are currently in operation at these facilities.
The conditions in the permit are intended to prevent the introduction of the apple maggot through the movement of municipal solid waste from the quarantine area to the pest-free area. The department continues to assess the permit conditions that may be necessary to mitigate the risk posed by apple maggot and may develop modifications to the conditions described here to address the risk. Specific operational conditions of the special permit may include:
(1) Procedures to ensure that loads of municipal solid waste in transfer trailers are enclosed or securely covered with tarps to prevent material from escaping during transfer;
(2) Proper disposal of all transfer trailer loads including compacting and covering of the material by other waste, soil/dirt, or an alternative daily cover material;
(3) Apple maggot pest monitoring at and in the vicinity of the facility; and
(4) Procedures for performing at least three random load checks per week on loads received from outside the pest-free area and tracking and reporting the results of those random load checks.
Under the conditions in the permit the municipal solid waste facility may accept for disposal solid wastes from a quarantine area only if:
(1) The transfer station from which the waste is exported has implemented procedures for diverting organic material from the municipal solid waste being exported; or
(2) The exporting county or municipality includes in its comprehensive solid waste management plan a program for segregating and diverting organic material from the residential and nonresidential municipal solid stream.
Additional labor costs may be incurred by the owners of the landfill resulting from several (e.g., three) load checks per week for the purpose of checking and reporting the amount of organic matter content of the solid waste imported into the pest-free area. Other increased costs to the landfill include potential fees for apple maggot pest monitoring carried out by the department's pest program.
Economic Impact on Commercial Composters: Under the proposed rule, yard waste, organic feedstock, organic materials, and agricultural waste become regulated articles which may not be transported to or disposed of in the designated pest-free area unless the owner obtains a special permit.
Of the more than sixty compost facilities in operation in Washington state, the proposed rule will affect a small number of compost facilities that choose to transport municipal solid waste or organic waste from the apple maggot quarantine area to the pest-free area. Only three composting facilities are currently requesting coverage under a permit. The proposed rule will require these commercial composters to comply with the terms and conditions of a special permit before the department authorizes the transport of regulated items across the quarantine boundary. Conditions of the permit go beyond current Washington state department of ecology rules for regulating pests and disease in solid municipal waste and green waste. These facilities, therefore, may be required to alter their current practices in ways that increase the cost of operations, if they choose to continue to transport green waste from the quarantine area. The financial cost of compliance will vary with each facility depending on their current practices and conditions at the facility.
The list of conditions in the permit represent a series of mitigation procedures currently not contained in department of ecology rules, but are intended to prevent the introduction of the apple maggot through the movement of green waste from the quarantine area to the pest-free area. The department continues to assess the permit conditions that may be necessary to mitigate the risk posed by apple maggot and may develop modifications to the conditions described here to address the risk.
Specific conditions of the special permit will include at a minimum:
A. Grinding municipal green waste, and
B. Heat treatments within the quarantine area prior to transporting the load into the pest-free area.
The heat treatments include three thermophilic options or three direct heat options:
Thermophilic
(1) Temperature of at least 55°C (131°F) for a continuous period of two weeks, or
(2) Temperature of at least 65°C (149°F) over a continuous period of one week, or
(3) In the case of enclosed composting facilities: At least 60°C (140°F) for one week.
Direct heat
(1) 74°C (165°F) for 4 hours, or
(2) 80°C (176°F) for 2 hours, or
(3) 90°C (194°F) for 1 hour using wet heat.
Jobs Created or Lost: Under RCW 19.85.040, agencies must provide an estimate of the number of jobs that will be created or lost as the result of compliance with the proposed rule. The exact costs of compliance for the three compost facilities known to transport organic waste from the apple maggot quarantine area to the pest-free area cannot be determined until the conditions of the permit are determined for each of the three compost facilities. Therefore, an estimate of the number of jobs that will be created or lost, if any, cannot be determined at this time.
Disproportionate Impact to Small Businesses: RCW 19.85.040 directs agencies to determine whether the proposed rule will have a disproportionate cost impact on small businesses by comparing the cost of compliance for small business with the cost of compliance for the ten percent of the largest businesses required to comply with the proposed rules.
The solid waste facilities likely impacted by the proposed rules are operated by governmental entities except for one solid waste facility operated by a commercial facility. The commercial facility is a large company that does not meet the definition of a small business under RCW 19.85.020(3).
All three of the composting facilities likely impacted by the proposed rule meet the definition of a small business under RCW 19.85.020(3). Therefore, there is no disproportionate impact on small businesses. Those municipalities or counties from which green waste or solid waste originates may incur increased costs passed down from the landfill which in turn have the potential to be passed on to residential or commercial customers.
CONCLUSION: The intent of chapter 17.24 RCW is to protect the forest, agricultural, horticultural, floricultural, and apiary industries of the state from the impact of insect pests, plant pathogens, noxious weeds, and bee pests and infestations. The proposed rule amendments protect the state's apple industry from apple maggot infestation and impose reasonable and necessary requirements on small businesses wanting to transport organic waste from the apple maggot quarantine area to the pest-free area. The proposed rule was drafted with input from stakeholders from the apple industry and the solid waste and composting industries.
A copy of the statement may be obtained by contacting Henri Gonzales, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1802, fax (360) 902-2092, e-mail wsdarulescomments@agr.wa.gov.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. WSDA is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).
September 30, 2016
Brad White
Assistant Director
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 06-14-004, filed 6/22/06, effective 8/1/06)
WAC 16-470-101 Establishing quarantines for apple maggot and plum curculio.
Apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) and plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) are insects with a larval (worm) stage that develops within fruit. These insects are capable of attacking many fruit crops grown in Washington. Apple maggot is not established in significant portions of the major fruit production areas east of the Cascade Mountains, and plum curculio is not established anywhere in the state. An increased range for either insect would cause decreased environmental quality and economic loss to the agricultural industries of the state by increasing production inputs and jeopardizing foreign and domestic markets.
(1) The director ((of agriculture)), pursuant to chapter 17.24 RCW, has determined that the regulation and/or exclusion of fresh fruits grown or originating from areas infested with apple maggot or plum curculio is necessary to protect the ((environmental quality)) environment and agricultural crops of the state.
(2) The director, pursuant to chapter 17.24 RCW, has determined that municipal solid waste originating from areas infested with apple maggot is a host medium for apple maggot and is a "regulated commodity" as provided in WAC 16-470-111. The exclusion of such municipal solid waste from the pest free area is necessary to protect the environment and agricultural crops of the state. The transport into and disposition of such municipal solid waste in the pest free area may be allowed by a special permit as provided in WAC 16-470-124(1).
(3) The director, pursuant to chapter 17.24 RCW, has determined that yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes as defined in WAC 173-350-100 originating from areas infested with apple maggot is a host medium for apple maggot and is a "regulated commodity" as provided in WAC 16-470-111. The exclusion of such waste from the pest free area is necessary to protect the environment and agricultural crops of the state. The transport into and disposition of yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes in the pest free area may be allowed by a special permit as provided in WAC 16-470-124(2).
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 01-14-075, filed 7/3/01, effective 8/3/01)
WAC 16-470-108 Distribution of infested or damaged fruit is prohibited.
Regulated commodities ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-111(1) and 16-470-125(2) that are known or found to be infested or damaged by apple maggot or plum curculio may not be distributed, sold, held for sale, or offered for sale, unless the fruit has undergone cold storage treatment, in compliance with WAC 16-470-113 (1)(a) and (b) or 16-470-127 (1)(a) and (b), and the necessary certificate has been issued by the appropriate plant protection organization.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 06-14-004, filed 6/22/06, effective 8/1/06)
WAC 16-470-111 ((What)) Commodities ((are)) regulated for apple maggot((?)).
(1) All fresh fruit of apple (including crab apple), cherry (except cherries that are commercial fruit), hawthorn (haw), pear (except pears that are commercial fruit from California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington), plum, prune, and quince are regulated under quarantine for apple maggot.
(2) Municipal solid waste as defined in WAC 173-350-100 is regulated under quarantine for apple maggot. Municipal solid waste from the quarantine area is a host medium for apple maggot containing or likely to contain those fruits listed under subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes as defined in WAC 173-350-100 are regulated under quarantine for apple maggot. Yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, and agricultural wastes from quarantine areas are host mediums for apple maggot containing or likely to contain those fruits listed under subsection (1) of this section.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 01-14-075, filed 7/3/01, effective 8/3/01)
WAC 16-470-113 ((What do you need)) Requirements to ship commodities regulated for apple maggot from a state under quarantine into the pest free area for apple maggot((?)).
Shipment of ((regulated commodities)) fresh fruit, as ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-111(1), from an area under quarantine, as ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-105(3), into the pest free area for apple maggot, as ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-105(1), is prohibited, unless at least one of the following conditions is met:
(1) The shipment is accompanied by an official certificate issued by the plant protection organization of the state of origin evidencing at least one of the following:
(a) The shipment is composed of apples, which ((have)) has undergone cold treatment for a continuous period of at least ninety days. During this ninety days, the temperature within the storage room must be maintained at thirty-seven and nine-tenths (((37.9))) degrees Fahrenheit or less.
(b) The shipment is composed of ((regulated commodities)) fresh fruit specified in WAC 16-470-111(1) other than apples, which ((have)) has undergone cold treatment for a continuous period of forty days or more. During this forty days, the temperature within the storage room must be maintained at thirty-two (((32))) degrees Fahrenheit or less.
(c) The shipment is composed of ((regulated commodities)) fresh fruit specified in WAC 16-470-111(1) from Oregon, Idaho, or Utah, ((certified by the state of origin in compliance with)) meeting the requirements under WAC 16-470-122.
(d) Each lot or shipment consists of repacked fruit, which was grown outside the area under quarantine and has been ((identity)) identified and maintained ((while)) separately from any fruit specified in WAC 16-470-111(1) grown within the area under quarantine. For repacked fruit, the certificate must show the following information:
(i) The state in which the fruit was grown;
(ii) The point of repacking and reshipment;
(iii) The amount and kind of commodities comprising the lot or shipment; and
(iv) The names and addresses of the shipper and consignee.
(2) The fruit originated outside the area under quarantine for apple maggot and is a reshipment in original, unopened containers. The containers must each bear labels or other identifying marks evidencing origin outside the area under quarantine.
(3) The fruit is frozen solid.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 06-14-004, filed 6/22/06, effective 8/1/06)
WAC 16-470-115 ((Within Washington state, what is required to ship fruit)) Requirements for shipment of regulated commodities from the quarantine area for apple maggot into the pest free area ((for apple maggot from quarantined areas?)) within Washington state.
Shipment of regulated commodities, as ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-111, from an area under quarantine, as ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-105(2), into the pest free area for apple maggot, as ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-105(1), is prohibited, unless one of the following applicable conditions is met:
(1) The shipment of fresh fruit is accompanied by a permit for movement of fruit issued by the department verifying one of the following:
(a) The fresh fruit came from orchards and production sites that are not threatened with infestation; or
(b) The fresh fruit has completed treatment as specified in WAC 16-470-118(3). If records of treatment verifying compliance with conditions specified in WAC 16-470-118(3) are made available to the department, no reinspection is required by the department.
(2) The shipment of fresh fruit is ((accompanied by a permit issued by the department in fulfillment of)) in compliance with the applicable conditions under WAC 16-470-118 (2) and (3)((, which specifies conditions for shipment from orchards and production sites that are infested or threatened with infestation)).
(3) The shipment of municipal solid waste from the quarantine area to the pest free area for purposes of disposal in a municipal solid waste landfill or appropriate disposal or treatment facility is accompanied by a special permit issued by the department as provided in WAC 16-470-124(1).
(4) The shipment of yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, or agricultural wastes from the quarantine area to the pest free area for purposes of disposal in a municipal solid waste landfill or appropriate treatment or composting facility is accompanied by a special permit issued by the department as provided in WAC 16-470-124(2).
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 06-14-004, filed 6/22/06, effective 8/1/06)
WAC 16-470-118 Requirements within Washington state((, what is required)) to ship fresh fruit into, within, or through the pest free area for apple maggot from an orchard or production site that is infested or threatened with infestation((?)).
All ((regulated commodities)) fresh fruit, as ((described)) specified in WAC 16-470-111(1), from an orchard or production site that is infested or threatened with infestation by apple maggot must be inspected (((except graded culls - See subsection (4) of this section))) by the department following accepted agency standards.
(1) If ((regulated commodities are)) the fresh fruit is inspected and found free of apple maggot, the shipment must be accompanied by a permit for movement of fruit issued by the department.
(2) If ((regulated commodities are)) the fresh fruit is found to be infested with apple maggot, a permit from the department, which specifies conditions for handling and shipment, is required to transport the fruit within or through the pest free area. No permit may be issued under this subsection for transportation of ((regulated commodities)) fresh fruit found to be infested with apple maggot into the pest free area for apple maggot.
(3) If ((regulated commodities are)) the fresh fruit is found to be infested with apple maggot, one or more of the following treatments must be performed and verified by the department as specified in WAC 16-470-115 (1)(b) before the ((commodity)) fruit is moved from area(s) designated or quarantined by the department:
(a) Apples (including crab apples) must be cold treated as specified in WAC 16-470-113 (1)(a).
(b) ((Regulated commodities)) Fruit other than apples must be cold treated ((as)) under the conditions specified in WAC 16-470-113 (1)(b).
(c) Other methods as prescribed in writing by the department.
(4) If the shipment contains graded culls, it must comply with the conditions specified in WAC 16-470-113 (1)(a) ((and)) or (b), dependent on the category of fruit.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 01-14-075, filed 7/3/01, effective 8/3/01)
WAC 16-470-122 ((What are the)) Requirements to ship regulated articles from Oregon, Idaho, or Utah into the pest free area for apple maggot((?)).
Commercially grown fresh fruit from Oregon, Idaho, or Utah may be shipped into the pest free area for apple maggot if both of the ((subsections of this section are complied with)) following conditions are met:
(1) A permit has been agreed to by the plant protection organization of the state of origin and the department. The permits must specify that the plant protection organization of the state of origin has conducted an adequate apple maggot detection program, which includes immediate written notification to the department of detections in counties where apple maggot has not previously been detected.
(2) The plant protection organization of the state of origin certifies that the fruit originated in areas in which apple maggot is not established, was grown in a commercial orchard, and has not been placed under quarantine.
NEW SECTION
WAC 16-470-124 Special permits for solid waste and organic waste transport and disposition.
(1) The director may issue special permits admitting or allowing transportation and distribution of municipal solid waste for disposal at a solid waste landfill or appropriate disposal facility in the pest free area from the areas under quarantine established in WAC 16-470-105, subject to conditions and provisions which the director may prescribe to prevent introduction, escape, or spread of the quarantined pests. For purposes of this section "solid waste" and "solid waste landfill" or "disposal facility" refer to solid waste and solid waste facilities regulated under chapters 70.95 RCW and 173-351 WAC by the Washington state department of ecology.
(2) The director may issue special permits admitting or allowing transportation and distribution of yard debris, organic feedstocks, organic materials, or agricultural wastes for treatment at a composting facility in the pest free area from the area under quarantine established in WAC 16-470-105, subject to conditions and provisions which the director may prescribe to prevent introduction, escape, or spread of the quarantined pests. For purposes of this section "yard debris," "organic feedstocks," "organic materials," and "agricultural wastes" or "composting facility" refer to waste and composting facilities regulated under chapters 70.95 RCW and 173-350 WAC by the Washington state department of ecology. Conditions for issuing a special permit under this subsection include the following:
(a) Processing conditions. Organic waste (as defined under WAC 16-470-111(3)) from the quarantine area is mechanically ground or shredded in the quarantine area to a particle size small enough to aid heat exposure but large enough to produce a feedstock suitable for composting.
(b) Heat treatments. In the quarantine area, following processing as required under (a) of this subsection, the entire quantity of organic waste is exposed to one of the following heat treatment options:
(i) Temperature of at least 55°C (131°F) for a continuous period of two weeks;
(ii) Temperature of at least 65°C (149°F) over a continuous period of one week;
(iii) In the case of enclosed composting facilities, temperature of at least 60°C (140°F) for one week.
(iv) For (b)(i) through (iii) of this subsection, a minimum number of turnings may be required to ensure that the whole mass is exposed to the required temperature. Moisture content of the organic waste is required to be a minimum of forty percent.
(v) Temperature of at least 74°C (165°F) for four hours; or 80°C (176°F) for two hours; or 90°C (194°F) for one hour, with wet heat used for each temperature treatment option under this subsection.
(c) Sanitation. Any trailer that has been used to transport untreated organic waste must be thoroughly cleaned within the quarantine area prior to transporting organic waste into or through the pest free area.
(3) When the owner of the waste identified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section transfers ownership of the waste to a different person receiving the waste for disposal or treatment in the pest free area, both owners must apply for and receive special permits under this section. A special permit to transport will not be issued to the transporting owner unless a special permit is concurrently issued to the receiving facility owner under conditions specified by the director.
(4) The specific conditions listed in this section are not intended to be exclusive or to preclude other conditions that the director may prescribe when issuing a special permit to accomplish the purposes identified in this section and under RCW 17.24.003.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 01-14-075, filed 7/3/01, effective 8/3/01)
WAC 16-470-127 ((What do you need)) Requirements to ship commodities regulated for plum curculio into Washington((?)).
Shipment into the state of Washington of regulated commodities described in WAC 16-470-125 from states under quarantine for plum curculio is prohibited, unless one of the following conditions is met:
(1) The shipment is accompanied by an official certificate issued by the plant protection organization of the state of origin evidencing at least one of the following:
(a) The shipment consists of apples, which have undergone cold treatment for a continuous period of at least ninety days. During this ninety days, the temperature within the storage room must be maintained at thirty-seven and nine-tenths (((37.9))) degrees Fahrenheit or less.
(b) The shipment consists of regulated commodities, which have undergone cold treatment for a continuous period of forty days or more. During this forty days, the temperature within the storage room must be maintained at thirty-two (((32))) degrees Fahrenheit or less.
(c) Each lot or shipment consists of repacked fruit, which was grown outside the area under quarantine and has been identity maintained while within the area under quarantine. For repacked fruit, the certificate must show the following information:
(i) State in which the fruit was grown;
(ii) Point of repacking and reshipment;
(iii) Amount and kind of commodities comprising the lot or shipment; and
(iv) Names and addresses of the shipper and consignee.
(2) The fruit originated outside the area under quarantine for plum curculio and is a reshipment in original, unopened containers. The containers must each bear labels or other identifying marks evidencing origin outside the area under quarantine.
(3) The shipment consists of fresh fruit from Utah counties where plum curculio is established and is made in compliance with terms of a permit agreed upon by both the Utah and Washington plant protection organizations.
(4) The shipment consists of fresh fruit from Utah counties where plum curculio is not established, and all of the following conditions are complied with:
(a) The Utah plant protection organization has conducted an adequate plum curculio detection program, which includes immediate written notification to the department of detections in counties where plum curculio has not previously been detected; and
(b) The Utah plant protection organization certifies that the fruit originated in areas in which plum curculio is not established, was grown in a commercial orchard, and has not been placed under quarantine.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 01-14-075, filed 7/3/01, effective 8/3/01)
WAC 16-470-130 Special permits for fresh fruit transport and distribution.
The director may issue special permits admitting, or allowing transportation and distribution of, regulated commodities described in WAC 16-470-111(1) and 16-470-125(2), which would not otherwise be eligible for entry from the area under quarantine, or for transportation or distribution, subject to conditions and provisions which the director may prescribe to prevent introduction, escape or spread of the quarantined pests.