Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-470 WAC,Quarantine—Agricultural pests. As a result of a petition for rule making, the department of agriculture (department) is considering expanding the apple maggot quarantine area in Okanogan County.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The apple maggot is an invasive insect pest native to Eastern North America. Its hosts include apples, crabapple, and native and ornamental hawthorn. During the larval stage, apple maggot can cause extensive damage to fruit. It is also economically significant to Washington's apple industry because fruit from the pest-free areas has greater access to international markets.

The department is considering a recommendation by a subcommittee of the apple maggot working group to expand the quarantine area in Okanogan County. Recent apple maggot surveys provide evidence that the state's apple maggot population has expanded its range into pest-free areas of the county. Changes to the existing rule may better protect the environment and agricultural crops of the state by slowing possible movements of apple maggot from infested areas into the pest-free area, and by securing access to international and interstate markets.

Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholder groups. 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 hearings.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Sven Spichiger, Pest Program Manager, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-280-6327, fax 360-902-2094, TTY 800-833-6388 or 711, email SSpichiger@agr.wa.gov, website https://agr.wa.gov/services/rulemaking; or Greg Haubrich, Assistant Director, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-2071, fax 360-902-2094, TTY 800-833-6388 or 711, email ghaubrich@agr.wa.gov, website https://agr.wa.gov/services/rulemaking.