WSR 97-13-074

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY

[Order 97-24--Filed June 18, 1997, 9:28 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Watershed planning grants, creating criteria that the Department of Ecology will use to evaluate grant applications for watershed planning grants. Ecology will amend chapter 173-500 WAC.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.21A.064(8), 90.54.040(2), and 43.27A.090(11) direct the department to establish and promulgate rules related to water resources. The watershed planning grants were authorized by 2SHB 2054, chapter 442, Laws of 1997.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: As a prerequisite to making grant award decisions, the agency should engage in rule making. We anticipate there may be more demand for grants than available funds. Therefore, rules will be needed to provide criteria for making eligibility determinations and project selection when evaluating competing proposals.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other federal or state agencies administer these watershed planning grants. The Department of Ecology will coordinate with other agencies through the Joint Natural Resources Cabinet.

Process for Developing New Rule: Consult advisory committee.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Peggy Clifford, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 4700, Lacey, WA 98504, phone (360) 407-7262, e-mail pcli461@ecy.wa.gov or request focus sheet for additional information.

Workshops will be held around the state in July 1997: In Wenatchee on July 14 at 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn; in Moses Lake on July 15 at 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Best Western Hallmark Resort; in Kennewick on July 16 at 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Library; in Everett on July 21 at 1:00 - 3:00 at the Travel Lodge; and in Olympia on July 28 at 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Department of Ecology. Hearings will be scheduled.

June 12, 1997

Carol L. Fleskes