Chapter 16-470 WAC

On August 15, 2024, the department adopted amendments to chapter 16-470 WAC expanding the boundaries of the Japanese beetle internal quarantine. The amendments also included:

• Adding soil samples to the list of regulated articles in WAC 16-470-710(2), as well as conditions governing the movement of soil samples.
• Clarifying, in WAC 16-470-710(7) that cut flowers exposed to open air environments during their harvest, transportation, or trade are included as a regulated article.
• Adding conditions governing the movement of cut flowers for decorative purposes.
• Requiring businesses, that are located within the internal quarantine area and are selling regulated articles under WAC 16-470-710(4) or (7), to post signage to alert customers purchasing regulated articles that they may not be transported outside of the quarantine area.

The previous permanent internal quarantine specified in chapter 16-470 WAC covered 49 square miles in the southeastern corner of Yakima County and the southwestern corner of Benton County. Japanese beetle catches from the 2022 and 2023 trapping seasons indicate that a permanent expansion of the internal quarantine is necessary to prevent further infestation of this pest in non-quarantined areas.

Topsoil containing vegetative material, has already been identified as a potential pathway in which Japanese beetle could spread and is currently regulated under the quarantine. Soil samples pose a similar risk and have been identified as another way the beetle could spread. Adding soil samples to the regulated articles list will help prevent further spread of this pest.

Cut flowers are already a regulated article under the quarantine. The adopted amendments clarify that cut flowers exposed to open air environments during their harvest, transportation, or trade are regulated.

Requiring businesses to post signage, that are located within the internal quarantine area and are selling regulated articles under WAC 16-470-710(4) or (7), will alert customers purchasing plants that they must keep them within the quarantine area.

Adoption Date: August 15, 2024
Effective Date: September 15, 2024

The department held a public hearing to receive information and comments regarding the proposed amendments on:

Written comments were 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 August 6, 2024.​

Written submissions about the proposed rule may be inspected at:

Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
Natural Resources Building
1111 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504-2560

Please contact Sven Spichiger to discuss implementation and enforcement of the amended rule.

By mail:
Sven Spichiger, Pest Program Manager
Plant Protection Division
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560

By phone: (360) 280-6327
By email:  SSpichiger@agr.wa.gov