CHAPTER 16-752 WAC
Noxious Weed Seed & Plant Quarantine
Announcement Regarding Boston Ivy
After the adoption of this rule making, the Department discovered that Boston Ivy was incorrectly listed as one of the common names for Hedera Hibernica. The correct scientifc name for Boston Ivy is Parthenocissus tricuspidata, which was not included in the quarantine update and is not prohibited from sale in Washington state. The Department plans to use expedited rule making to correct this mistake.
Overview of Rule Making
On July 9, 2025, the department adopted amendments to chapter 16-752 WAC which add additional species to the noxious weed seed and plant quarantine, prohibiting their sale and distribution.
These species include:
- Common (English) Ivy (Hedera helix);
- Atlantic/Boston Ivy (Hedera Hibernica);
- Spotted Touch Me Not (Impatiens capensis);
- Cape Pondweed (Aponogeton distachyos);
- Hanging Sedge (Carex pendula, Carex pendula subsp. pedula and Carex pendula subsp. agastachys);
- Green Alkenet (Pentaglottis sempervirens);
- Common Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare (except bulbing fennel, F. vulgare var. azoricum));
- European Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara);
- Herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum);
- Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale);
- Sulfur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta);
- Wild basil/basil savory (Clinopodium vulgare);
- Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus);
- Camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum);
- Russian Knapweed (Rhaponticum repens);
- Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris);
- Rough Chervil (Chaerophyllum temulum);
- Turkish Thistle (Carduus cinereus); and
- Palmer's Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
Effective Date: August 9, 2025
Notices Published in State Register and Related Documents
| Document | Filed | Published | WSR Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concise Explanatory Statement | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| CR-103 and adopted rule language | 07/09/2025 | 08/06/2025 | 25-15-040 |
| CR-102 and proposed rule language | 05/07/2025 | 05/21/2025 | 25-10-101 |
| CR-101 | 04/17/2024 | 05/01/2024 | 24-09-080 |
Public Hearing Information
The department held a public hearing to receive information and comments regarding the proposed amendments on:
| Date: | June 24, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 8:30 AM |
| Location: | Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 286 175 485 906 9 Passcode: vt2Uz38C +1 564-999-2000,,703163236# United States, Olympia Find a local number Phone conference ID: 703 163 236# |
Submitting Written Comments
Written comments were required to be submitted using one of the following:
By mail:Gloriann Robinson, Agency Rules Coordinator
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
By fax: (360) 902-2092
By email: wsdarulescomments@agr.wa.gov
Written comments were due no later than 5:00 PM June 24, 2025.
Agency Personnel Responsible for Rule Amendments
Please contact Scott Brooks to discuss implementation and enforcement of the amended rule.
By mail:
Scott Brooks, Plant Services Program Manager
Plant Protection Division
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
By email: SBrooks@agr.wa.gov