WSR 12-09-086

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


[ Filed April 18, 2012, 9:55 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 12-05-106.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 16-470 WAC, Quarantine -- Agricultural pests, the department is proposing to modify the apple maggot quarantine boundaries by:

     (1) Adding a portion of Chelan County to the quarantine; and

     (2) Decreasing the size of the quarantine portion of Kittitas County.

     Hearing Location(s): Washington State Department of Agriculture, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection, 270 9th Street N.E., Main Conference Room, East Wenatchee, WA 98802, on May 31, 2012, at 1:00 p.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: June 7, 2012.

     Submit Written Comments to: Henri Gonzales, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, e-mail hgonzales@agr.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2094, by May 31, 2012.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Henri Gonzales by May 24, 2012, TTY (800) 833-6388.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is proposing to modify the boundary of the pest free area established in the apple maggot quarantine rule for Chelan and Kittitas counties. Changes to the existing rule may better prevent or minimize possible movement of apple maggot from infested areas into uninfested areas, secure access to international and interstate markets, and protect the commercial tree fruit industry from an economically significant pest by quarantine modification.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The apple maggot is an invasive insect pest native to eastern North America. Its hosts include apples, crabapple, and native hawthorn. In its larval development stage it can cause extensive damage to fruit. It is economically significant to the Washington apple crop not only due to its ability to cause physical crop damage, but also because fruit from demonstrated apple maggot free areas or locations has greater market access for international shipments.

     Data collected from the 2011 apple maggot survey provides evidence that the state's apple maggot population has altered its range. Modification of the existing quarantine is necessary in order to respond to this change.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 17.24.041 and chapter 34.05 RCW.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 17.24 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Washington state department of agriculture, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Mary Toohey, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1907; Implementation and Enforcement: Brad White, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-2071.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed amendments will not have a more than minor economic impact on the commercial tree fruit industry. This proposed change to the rule would add one business - a commercial fruit orchard which is part of a small business - to the hundred plus orchards in the already existing quarantine area. Based on information obtained from the business' web site, it appears that the crop from this single orchard is locally processed and/or sold within the proposed quarantine area. The proposed amendments would have a minimal additional economic impact on this business, as the rule change would not trigger additional inspection requirements for it at this time. In addition, neglecting to change the existing rule may result in loss of markets and potential exports for the Washington apple crop.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The Washington state department of agriculture is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).

April 18, 2012

Mary A. Martin Toohey

Assistant Director

OTS-4714.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-18-086, filed 9/1/09, effective 10/2/09)

WAC 16-470-105   Area under order for apple maggot -- Pest free area -- Quarantine areas.   (1) A pest free area for apple maggot is declared for the following portions of Washington state:

     (a) Counties of Adams, Asotin, Benton, ((Chelan,)) Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman.

     (b) The portion of Kittitas County designated as follows: Beginning at the point where Interstate Highway No. 90 crosses longitude 120°31' W; thence southerly to the Kittitas-Yakima County line; thence easterly along the county line ((to the Yakima River; thence northerly along the Yakima River to its confluence with Lmuma Creek; thence easterly along Lmuma Creek to Interstate Highway No. 82; thence southerly along Interstate Highway No. 82 to the Kittitas-Yakima County line; thence east)) to the Columbia River; thence northerly along the Columbia River to Interstate Highway No. 90; thence westerly along Interstate Highway No. 90 to the point of beginning.

     (c) Yakima County, except for the area designated in subsection (2)(c) of this section.

     (d) Chelan County, except for the area designated in subsection (2)(d) of this section.

     (2) A quarantine for apple maggot is declared for the following portions of Washington state:

     (a) Counties of Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Skagit, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom.

     (b) Kittitas County, except for the area designated in subsection (1)(b) of this section.

     (c) The portion of Yakima County designated as follows: Beginning at the northeastern corner of Yakima County on the west bank of the Columbia River; thence southerly along the Columbia River to the Yakima-Benton County line; thence southerly along the county line to latitude N46°30'; thence west to longitude W120°20'; thence north to latitude N46°30.48'; thence west to longitude W120°25'; thence north to latitude N46°31.47'; thence west to longitude W120°28'; thence north to latitude N46°32'; thence west to longitude W120°36'; thence south to latitude N46°30'; thence west to longitude W120°48'; thence southerly to the Klickitat-Yakima County line; thence westerly along the county line to the Yakima-Skamania County line; thence northerly along the county line to the Lewis-Yakima County line; thence easterly and northerly along the county line to the Pierce-Yakima County line; thence northerly and easterly along the county line to the Kittitas-Yakima County line; thence easterly and southerly along the county line to the west bank of the Columbia River and the point of beginning.

     (d) The portion of Chelan County designated as follows: Beginning at the point where the northern boundary of the county crosses longitude N120°43.02' following the longitudinal line due south to the fork of Highway 207 and Chiwawa Loop Road; thence south following the eastern edge of Highway 207 which becomes Beaver Valley Road and then Chumstick Highway; thence southeast along the eastern edge of Highway 2 to the point where the northern ridgeline of Boundary Butte drops to meet Highway 2; thence southerly, following the ridgeline of Boundary Butte gaining in elevation into the Stuart Range to the highest point of McClellan Peak; thence due south from McClellan Peak to the southern boundary of the county; thence following the county line west, then north, and then east to the beginning point.

     (3) A quarantine for apple maggot is declared for all states or foreign countries where apple maggot is established. The area under quarantine includes, but is not limited to, the states of Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and California, and, in the eastern United States, all states and districts east of and including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and any other areas where apple maggot is established.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 17.24 and 34.05 RCW. 09-18-086, § 16-470-105, filed 9/1/09, effective 10/2/09; 06-14-004, § 16-470-105, filed 6/22/06, effective 8/1/06; 05-09-005, § 16-470-105, filed 4/7/05, effective 8/15/05; 04-09-027, § 16-470-105, filed 4/13/04, effective 8/16/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter 17.24 RCW. 01-14-075, § 16-470-105, filed 7/3/01, effective 8/3/01.]

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