PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Development of WACs for the newly established riparian protection account and farmlands preservation account grant programs and the recently amended habitat conservation account and outdoor recreation account grant programs (chapter 303, Laws of 2005). Consideration will be given to writing rules regarding: Eligibility; project conversions; planning requirements; deeds of right; mitigation banking; match requirements; criteria for awarding grants; and possibly other related subjects necessary for grant program implementation.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Section 6(4), chapter 303, Laws of 2005, RCW 79A.15.060(1).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules may be needed to implement the direction of the legislature to create new grant categories. The types of needs include: (a) Developing grant program requirements; (b) protection of the investment of public dollars from such actions as conversion to uses other than those approved by the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC); (c) helping to ensure projects meet their original intent by establishing measurable goals and objectives.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other federal or state agencies regulate whether and how IAC issues grants in these programs. There may be federal or state regulatory requirements regarding match and permits to implement awarded grants.
Process for Developing New Rule: Our intent is to advance this proposal through a participatory process that includes distribution of the recommendations to IAC's advisory committees and other interested parties, including those who have asked to be placed on IAC's WAC notification listing. We will encourage comments via mail, e-mail, telephone, and in person. Based on any comments, revisions will be considered before presentation of final recommendations for adoption in an advertised and open public meeting.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Greg Lovelady, Rules Coordinator, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, GregL@iac.wa.gov, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 40917, Olympia, WA 98504-0917, (360) 902-3008, fax (360) 902-3026. We anticipate that meeting schedule(s) will be available in August 2005.
August 5, 2005
Greg Lovelady
Rules Coordinator