WSR 14-01-093

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 17, 2013, 1:45 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Changes in the rule making will include: (1) Change the agency's name from the interagency committee for outdoor recreation to the recreation and conservation office or the recreation and conservation funding board, (2) revisions to the general grant assistance rules for grant application procedures and deadlines, matching shares, and retroactive costs, (3) change the planning eligibility for applicants from five to six years in the boating facilities program, and (4) remove references as to the length for long-term grant compliance for projects funded by the firearms and archery range recreation program.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Section 39, chapter 241, Laws of 2007; RCW 46.09.530, 79A.25.210, 79A.15.070.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency name and board name needs to be changed to reflect 2007 statutory changes. The grant application rules need to be changed to clarify the process and deadlines and the agency director's authorities. The boating facilities program and firearms and archery range recreation changes are to align programs with other agency policies.

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 grant funding programs administered by the board and office.

Process for Developing New Rule: Our intent is to advance this proposal through a participatory process that includes distribution of the recommendations to the agency's advisory committees and other interested parties, including those who have asked to be placed on the agency's WAC notification listing. We will encourage comments via mail, e-mail, telephone, and in person at a scheduled recreation and conservation funding board meeting. Based on any comments, revisions will be considered before presentation of the final recommendations for adoption in an advertised and open public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Leslie Connelly, Rules Coordinator, Recreation and Conservation Office, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 40917, Olympia, WA 98504-0917, office (360) 902-3080, fax (360) 902-3026, leslie.connelly@rco.wa.gov.

December 17, 2013

Leslie Connelly

Rules Coordinator