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Chapter 17.15 RCW

Integrated pest management

RCW Sections

17.15.005Legislative declaration.
17.15.010Definitions.
17.15.020Implementation of integrated pest management practices.
17.15.030Integrated pest management training--Designated coordinator--Representation on interagency coordinating committee.
17.15.040Interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee--Creation--Composition--Duties--Public notice--Progress reports.

17.15.005
Legislative declaration.

The legislature declares that it is the policy of the state of Washington to require all state agencies that have pest control responsibilities to follow the principles of integrated pest management.

[1997 c 357 § 1.]

17.15.010
Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (1) "Integrated pest management" means a coordinated decision-making and action process that uses the most appropriate pest control methods and strategy in an environmentally and economically sound manner to meet agency programmatic pest management objectives. The elements of integrated pest management include:

     (a) Preventing pest problems;

     (b) Monitoring for the presence of pests and pest damage;

     (c) Establishing the density of the pest population, that may be set at zero, that can be tolerated or correlated with a damage level sufficient to warrant treatment of the problem based on health, public safety, economic, or aesthetic thresholds;

     (d) Treating pest problems to reduce populations below those levels established by damage thresholds using strategies that may include biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical control methods and that must consider human health, ecological impact, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness; and

     (e) Evaluating the effects and efficacy of pest treatments.

     (2) "Pest" means, but is not limited to, any insect, rodent, nematode, snail, slug, weed, and any form of plant or animal life or virus, except virus, bacteria, or other microorganisms on or in a living person or other animal or in or on processed food or beverages or pharmaceuticals, which is normally considered to be a pest, or which the director of the department of agriculture may declare to be a pest.

[1997 c 357 § 2.]



17.15.020
Implementation of integrated pest management practices.

Each of the following state agencies or institutions shall implement integrated pest management practices when carrying out the agency's or institution's duties related to pest control:

     (1) The department of agriculture;

     (2) The state noxious weed control board;

     (3) The department of ecology;

     (4) The department of fish and wildlife;

     (5) The department of transportation;

     (6) The parks and recreation commission;

     (7) The department of natural resources;

     (8) The department of corrections;

     (9) The department of general administration; and

     (10) Each state institution of higher education, for the institution's own building and grounds maintenance.

[1997 c 357 § 3.]



17.15.030
Integrated pest management training — Designated coordinator — Representation on interagency coordinating committee.

(1) A state agency or institution listed in RCW 17.15.020 shall provide integrated pest management training for employees responsible for pest management. The training programs shall be developed in cooperation with the interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee created under RCW 17.15.040.

     (2) A state agency or institution listed in RCW 17.15.020 shall designate an integrated pest management coordinator and the department of labor and industries and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall each designate one representative to serve on the committee established in RCW 17.15.040.

[1997 c 357 § 4.]



17.15.040
Interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee — Creation — Composition — Duties — Public notice — Progress reports.

(1) The interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee is created. The committee is composed of the integrated pest management coordinator from each agency or institution listed under RCW 17.15.020 and the representatives designated under RCW 17.15.030. The coordinator from the department of agriculture shall serve as chair of the committee.

     (2) The interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee shall share information among the state agencies and institutions and facilitate interagency coordination.

     (3) The interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee shall meet at least two times a year. All meetings of the committee must be open to the public. The committee shall give public notice of each meeting.

     (4) By November 30th of each odd-numbered year up to and including November 30th, 2001, the department of agriculture, with the advice of the interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee, shall prepare a report on the progress of integrated pest management programs. The report is to be made available through the state library and placed on the legislative alert list.

[1997 c 357 § 5.]