WSR 13-18-071

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 3, 2013, 1:37 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-497 WAC, Hop disease quarantine, the agency is considering amending the hop disease quarantine by modifying the quarantine boundaries to include some or all of the neighboring states as a result of a petition submitted by the Washington hop commission.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 17.24.011, 17.24.041, and chapter 34.05 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Quarantines are established that prohibit or regulate the movement of plants or plant products from designated areas within or outside the state in order to prevent the spread of diseases, plant pathogens, or pests. The hop disease quarantine was established in 1980 in order to prevent the introduction of dangerous diseases of hops in the state of Washington and potential subsequent economic impact to the hop industry. Although the quarantine has been in place for decades, the pressure from diseases is constantly changing. The affected industry has requested changes to the existing quarantine in order to adequately protect growers and bring the quarantine more into harmony with adjoining states.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to present oral testimony at the public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dr. Brad White, Acting Assistant Director, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail bwhite@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.

September 3, 2013

Brad White

Acting Assistant Director