PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The forest practices board is considering rule making to implement 2007 legislation (SSSB [2SSB] 5883) regarding conversion of forest lands to nonforestry uses.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 76.09.040.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board intends to define "conversion activities" and set forth administrative procedures in TITLE 222 WAC, Forest practices. The intent would be to ensure that state agencies and local governmental entities who enforce the law understand which activities are deemed conversion activities, and the procedures for issuing and receiving notices regarding conversion from forestry to nonforestry uses.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington department of ecology (DOE) will be involved in regulating this subject. According to SSSB [2SSB] 5883, DOE will receive notices of unauthorized conversion activities from either the local governmental entity or the department of natural resources. The board will include DOE in rule development.
Process for Developing New Rule: The board will request input from interested stakeholders to develop rule language.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by mailing, faxing, or e-mailing comments to Patricia Anderson, Forest Practices Board, Rules Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Division, 1111 Washington Street S.E., 4th Floor, P.O. Box 47012, Olympia, WA 98504-7012, fax (360) 902-1428, e-mail forest.practicesboard@dnr.wa.gov.
October 4, 2007
Victoria Christiansen
Chair