PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Facility siting.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 72.01.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is revising its site selection process for correctional facilities. The location of a correctional facility is an important consideration for the department, the public, local government, and other interested stakeholders. The department seeks to identify a process that will generate support from local government and encourage public participation. The rules will set standards governing the department's process and will assist interested parties in making informed decisions about future correctional facility site selection. In addition, consistent with the State Environmental Policy Act, chapter 43.21C RCW, the rules will provide a basic framework for the department's site selection process, with due consideration of a number of critical factors, including the early evaluation of environmental issues relating to the site and any necessary infrastructure.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making; and public comments and recommendations in the course of drafting the proposed rules are solicited.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting John Nispel at Department of Corrections, Contracts and Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 41114, Olympia, WA 98504-1114, phone (360) 586-2160, fax (360) 664-2009, e-mail jrnispel@doc1.wa.gov.
August 4, 2003
Patria Robinson-Martin
Chief of Staff
for Joseph D. Lehman
Secretary