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: Purple nutsedge is an extremely invasive, economically significant noxious weed not known to occur in this state at this time. This quarantine is intended to prevent the introduction of purple nutsedge in this state.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board has requested the changes to this rule. Representatives of the Washington State Department of Agriculture discuss options for specific provisions of the proposal with the board 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 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, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; and Lisa Lantz, Executive Secretary, Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, 1851 South Central Place, Suite 211, Kent, WA 98031-7507, phone (253) 872-2972, FAX (253) 872-6320, e-mail waweeds@wolfenet.com.

March 20, 1998

Mary A. Martin Toohey

Assistant Director