Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The existing rule is hard to interpret and apply to today's needs and practices for the handling and disposal of domestic animal excreta, commonly called animal waste. The state board of health (board) will assess the state regulatory structure and will explore and consider minimum standards for the handling and disposal of domestic animal waste as it pertains to public health, sanitation, and nuisance.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington state department of ecology regulates and permits waste discharges to state waters from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). The agency also has authority to regulate nonpoint waste discharges to state waters and air emissions from certain large animal feeding operations. The Washington state department of agriculture regulates licensed cow dairies to protect state waters and assists the Washington state department of ecology with regulation of permitted CAFOs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides oversight of federal authority delegated to and administered by the Washington state department of ecology. The board will coordinate with the state agencies in revising the rule to help determine the scope and relationship of these laws, rules, and programs with the board's rule.

Process for Developing New Rule: The board will use a collaborative rule-making approach. The board will work with partner health and natural resource agencies in drafting the rule and will convene a stakeholder group for additional input. The board will keep stakeholders and interested parties informed of the rule making through email, the board's listserv and rule-making website, and notices in the Washington State Register. Stakeholders and interested parties will have opportunity to provide comments throughout the rule-making process, including informal review of the draft rule, formal review and comment on the proposed rule, and at the board's public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Stuart Glasoe, P.O. Box 47990, Olympia, WA 98504-7990, phone 360-236-4111, fax 360-236-4088, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email stuart.glasoe@sboh.wa.gov, website www.sboh.wa.gov.