Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-462 WAC, Grape planting stock -- Registration and certification. The participating nurseries and the Washington state department of agriculture grapevine advisory committee have requested a revision of the certification rule that includes isolation distances in greenhouses, requirements for registered stock and information presented on certification tags or certificates.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 15.14 and 34.05 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed revision would reflect the current practices of grapevine nurseries.

     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 Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.

February 15, 2006

Mary A. Martin Toohey

Assistant Director