PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules relating to chestnut pest quarantine in chapter 16-470 WAC.
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: The existing sections of rule pertaining to chestnut pests were last modified in 1985. In the intervening fifteen year, the authorizing statute was revised, making some provisions of the rule obsolete or inconsistent with statute. The rule may be updated to acknowledge changes in industry and program practices, to acknowledge additional scientific discoveries, and to modify it to clear and readable format.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA APHIS administers federal quarantine rules regarding international and interstate movement of some pest species. However, USDA does not exercise jurisdiction over interstate movement of chestnuts and related species, or the pests named in te existing state rule. Other states also exercise jurisdiction over movement of chestnuts and its pests in or through those states. Proposed text will be circulated to cooperating agencies for review.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss proposed rule changes with stakeholders and affected agencies in other states 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 A. Martin 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; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094.
August 23, 2000
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director