WSR 14-05-048

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed February 14, 2014, 11:19 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 365-196 WAC, Procedural criteria for adopting comprehensive plans and development regulations.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 36.70A.050, 36.70A.190, and 36.70A.735.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To adopt new rules guiding implementation of the voluntary stewardship program (RCW 36.70A.735).

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of commerce (commerce) will develop proposed rules with the Washington conservation commission and a legislatively created statewide advisory committee that includes other agencies and interested parties.

Process for Developing New Rule: Commerce will coordinate rule development with the Washington conservation commission and a statewide advisory committee established by the legislature. The public is encouraged to provide comments and recommendations on draft rules to be posted on the agency web site at www.commerce.wa.gov/wacupdate and distributed to the listserv mailing list. After the amendments are proposed, the public may also participate by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tim Gates, growth management services unit, (360) 725-3058 or tim.gates@commerce.wa.gov. The public can participate in rule development through participation in committee meetings. After the CR-102 is filed, the public can submit written comments by e-mail to WACupdate@commerce.wa.gov, or standard mail to WAC Update, Growth Management Services, Washington Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525. The project web page is www.commerce.wa.gov/wacupdate. Commerce maintains a listserv e-mail distribution list for those interested in receiving ongoing information about this process. Instructions to register for the listserv are available on the web page.

February 14, 2014

Nick Demerice

Assistant Director

External Relations