Notification of Rulemaking Activity
The Washington State Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA) has moved forward with rulemaking to expand the apple maggot quarantine in Okanogan County by filing a CR-102 with the Office of the Code Reviser on December 23, 2025.
Overview of Rulemaking
As a result of a recommendation by a sub-committee of the Apple Maggot Working Group, the Department is proposing to expand the quarantine area in Okanogan County. Recent apple maggot surveys provide evidence that the state's apple maggot population has expanded its range into pest-free areas of the county. Changes to the existing rule may better protect the environment and agricultural crops of the state by slowing possible movements of apple maggot from infested areas into the pest-free area, and by securing access to international and interstate markets.
The apple maggot is an invasive insect pest native to Eastern North America. Its hosts include apples, crabapple, and native and ornamental hawthorn. During the larval stage, apple maggot can cause extensive damage to fruit. It is also economically significant to Washington’s apple industry because fruit from the pest-free areas has greater access to international markets.
Documents Related to Rulemaking
The CR-102 and proposed rule language are attached through the button below. Please click to view documents.
Participate in the Rulemaking Process
Stakeholder feedback is a vital component in the rule making process. We invite you to participate by submitting either oral or written comments as instructed below.
The department will hold the following public hearings to receive oral comments regarding the proposed amendments on:
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Date
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Time
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Location
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February 10, 2026
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1:00 PM
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Microsoft Teams
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 221 965 183 857 62
Passcode: tK7yL235
Dial in by phone
+1 564-999-2000
Phone conference ID: 894 044 767#
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Written comments may be submitted through 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 must be received no later than 5:00 PM February 10, 2026.
Agency Personnel Responsible for Proposed Rule
Please contact Sven-Erik Spichiger to discuss implementation and enforcement of the amended rule.
By mail:
Sven-Erik 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
For more information regarding WSDA’s rule making activities, please contact:
Gloriann Robinson, WSDA Agency Rules Coordinator
wsdarulescomments@agr.wa.gov
PO Box 42560,
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 902-1802
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