PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules relating to quarantine of grapevines and other plant/nursery stock to prevent establishment of glassy-winged sharpshooter.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 17.24 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Glassy-winged sharpshooter is an exotic pest insect that transmits Pierce's disease to grapevines. Pierce's disease is a bacterial disease of grapevines not known to occur in Washington state. Pierce's disease could have a potentially devastating effect on Washington's grape crop and associated industries. Despite a large federal and state control effort, glassy-winged sharpshooter has recently become established in southern California and is moving north. Very recently two detections occurred in Oregon, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture initiated an emergency quarantine on incoming nursery stock from infested states. Exclusion of glassy-winged sharpshooter through quarantine rules may be the only way to prevent Pierce's disease in this state.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA APHIS administers federal quarantine rules regarding international and domestic movement of exotic pests. However, as a practical matter USDA leaves the administration of interstate quarantine activities to state programs. Copies of any proposed rules will be distributed for review to affected states.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss the issue and any rules proposals with industry groups, other stakeholders, and affected government agencies and then publish the rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094; or Mary Toohey, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094.
September 6, 2000
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director