WSR 98-24-111

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed December 2, 1998, 9:39 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: To define maximum application rate for commercial fertilizer and to revise the registration application section of chapter 16-200 WAC to include a requirement that all commercial fertilizer registration applications contain a maximum application rate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.54.325 and 15.54.800.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are needed which establish a requirement for the disclosure of the maximum application rate for each commercial fertilizer for which registration is requested so that the department can clearly determine if the commercial fertilizer meets Washington standards for metals.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington State Department of Ecology (ecology) regulates the use of certain commercial fertilizers, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture has been working closely with ecology on the issue.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington State Department of Agriculture will meet with interested parties to discuss this proposal. Anyone wishing to receive more information on the proposed rule should contact the department by one of the methods listed below.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ted Maxwell, Program Manager, Registration Services, Pesticide Management Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-2026.

Send written comments to Laurie Mauerman, Washington Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, fax (360) 902-2093.

December 1, 1998

Bob Arrington

Assistant Director