PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 16-302-410 Standards for sod quality seed.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.49.310, 15.49.370(3), and chapter 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposal will modify the grass seed sod contaminate list to include all species of the genus Vulpia, rather than just a single species. This is necessary to ensure that seed labeled as Washington sod quality is free of these objectionable plants. This will allow the turf seed producers of this state to market seed that has been tested and found free of other grass species that are detrimental in sod production.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington state department of agriculture staff will develop the specific rule proposal. In turn, seed industry representatives and the advisory committee will review and comment on the proposed rule amendments. Interested parties can participate in the public hearing/public comment process, the dates of which will be announced when the department files the rule proposal with the code reviser.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Fawad Shah, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Seed Program, 21 North 1st Avenue, Suite 203, Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 225-2636, e-mail Fshah@agr.wa.gov.
February 28, 2006
Robert W. Gore
Assistant Director