WSR 15-13-071

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 11, 2015, 4:09 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-752 WAC, Noxious weed seed and plant quarantine, the agency is considering adding additional species to the noxious weed seed and plant quarantine. These species include: Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), except for sterile hybrid cultivars; yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon); lesser celandine (Ficaria verna); all nonnative hawkweed species and hybrids (Hieracium spp.); Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides); and Australian water clover (Marsilea mutica).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 17.10.074, 17.24.011, 17.24.041, and chapter 34.05 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The intrusion into this state of nonnative, invasive weed species continues to be a concern. The spread of these weeds presents a risk to the economic well-being of the agricultural, forest, horticultural, and floricultural industries, and the environmental quality and natural resources of the state. Initiating quarantines forbidding entry or distribution of weed species may be critical for their exclusion or control.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to present oral testimony at the public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Brad White, Assistant Director, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail bwhite@agr.wa.gov; or Cindy Cooper, Plant Services Program Manager, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-2062, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail ccooper@agr.wa.gov.

June 11, 2015

Brad White

Assistant Director