WSR 15-20-012

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 24, 2015, 9:17 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 16-301-560 Inspection requirements for trial grounds, as a result of the recent change to the crucifer quarantine to include eastern Washington, the department is considering changing the application due dates for field inspection of trial grounds.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.49.005, 17.24.041, and chapter 34.05 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To keep black leg out of Washington, the department has adopted an emergency rule adding eastern Washington to the regulated area of the crucifer quarantine, and requiring testing of all crucifer seed lots. The department is also in the process of adopting similar permanent rules regarding the crucifer quarantine. As a result of these changes to the crucifer quarantine, it may be necessary to change the application due dates for trial grounds, as there are now two regulated areas instead of just one.

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 rule proposal and will communicate with stakeholders and other interested parties for their review and comment. Interested parties can also participate in the public hearing/public comment process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jeff Larsen, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1960, fax (360) 902-2085, jlarsen@agr.wa.gov; or Victor Shaul, 21 North 1st Avenue, Suite 203, Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 249-6955, fax (509) 454-4395, vshaul@agr.wa.gov.

September 21, 2015

Brad J. Avy

Assistant Director