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Chapter 16-06 WAC

Last Update: 7/23/20

PUBLIC RECORDS

WAC Sections

HTML PDF	16-06-150	The purpose of the rule.
HTML PDF	16-06-155	Definitions.
HTML PDF	16-06-160	Description of department, address and telephone number of Olympia administrative offices.
HTML PDF	16-06-180	Public records officer.
HTML PDF	16-06-185	Availability of public records.
HTML PDF	16-06-190	Public records requests.
HTML PDF	16-06-200	Costs of disclosure.
HTML PDF	16-06-205	Protection of public records.
HTML PDF	16-06-210	Exemptions.
HTML PDF	16-06-220	Review of denial of request for inspection or copying of public records.
HTML PDF	16-06-225	Records index.
HTML PDF	16-06-250	Processing of public records requests—Electronic records.

DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE


16-06-010	Purpose. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-010, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-020	Definitions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-020, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-030	Description of organization. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-030, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-040	Operations and procedures. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-040, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-050	Public records designees. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-050, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-060	Availability of public records. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-060, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-070	Requests for public records. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-070, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-080	Fees. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-080, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-090	Protection of public records. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-090, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-100	Exemptions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-100, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-110	Denial of request. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-110, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-120	Review of denial of request for inspection or copying of public records. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-120, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-130	Records index. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-130, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-140	Public records request form. [Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 - 42.17.340. WSR 83-01-098 (Order 1779), § 16-06-140, filed 12/20/82.] Repealed by WSR 96-14-086, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-165	Department organization description by division and program. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.23 RCW and RCW 34.05.353. WSR 09-24-056, § 16-06-165, filed 11/25/09, effective 12/26/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.56.380, chapters 43.23 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 09-12-013, § 16-06-165, filed 5/21/09, effective 6/21/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-165, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-165, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.] Repealed by WSR 14-19-056, filed 9/12/14, effective 10/13/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.17.060, 42.56.040, and chapter 34.05 RCW.
16-06-170	For assistance with disclosure of agency documents, you may contact a public records designee. [Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-170, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.] Repealed by WSR 09-03-032, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-175	You may also contact an agency public records coordinator for assistance. [Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-175, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.] Repealed by WSR 09-03-032, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-195	Disclosure procedure. [Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-195, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.] Repealed by WSR 09-03-032, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-215	Qualifications on nondisclosure. [Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-215, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.] Repealed by WSR 09-03-032, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-230	Interagency disclosure. [Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-230, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.] Repealed by WSR 09-03-032, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW.
16-06-235	Request for public records disclosure form. [Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-235, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.] Repealed by WSR 09-03-032, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW.

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The purpose of the rule.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish the procedures the Washington state department of agriculture will follow to provide full access to public records, and to implement the provisions of the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW. These rules provide information to persons requesting access to the department's public records and establish procedures for both requestors and department staff.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-150, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-150, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Definitions.

"Department" means the Washington state department of agriculture.

"Disclosure" means inspection or copying.

"Public records" include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by the department regardless of physical form or characteristics.

"Writing" means handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, telefaxing, photographing, and every other means of recording any form of communication or representation including, but not limited to, letters, words, pictures, sounds or symbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, motion picture, film and video recordings, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, diskettes, sound recordings, and other documents, including existing data compilations from which information may be obtained or translated.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.17, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-155, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-155, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Description of department, address and telephone number of Olympia administrative offices.

Headquartered in Olympia and located in the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560, the department employs personnel in every county in Washington. The department serves the people of Washington state by supporting the agricultural community and promoting consumer and environmental protection since 1913. The information telephone number is 360-902-1800. The department is organized into seven functional areas:

(1) Director's office;

(2) Administrative services;

(3) Animal services division;

(4) Commodity inspection division;

(5) Food safety and consumer services division;

(6) Pesticide management division; and

(7) Plant protection division.

The department maintains service locations or major field offices around the state. The administrative offices located in Olympia can assist persons in locating office locations around the state. The department's organization chart is available upon request from the Public Records Officer, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560, phone 360-902-1935, fax 360-902-2092.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.56.040. WSR 20-16-011, § 16-06-160, filed 7/23/20, effective 8/23/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.17.060, 42.56.040, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 14-19-056, § 16-06-160, filed 9/12/14, effective 10/13/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-160, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-160, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Public records officer.

(1) Any person wishing to request access to the department's public records, or seeking assistance in making a public records request, should contact the public records officer.

(2) You may contact the public records officer at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560, by telephone at 360-902-1935, by fax at 360-902-2092, or by email at: publicdisclosure@agr.wa.gov.

(3) The name of the department's current public records officer is also on file with the office of the code reviser in accordance with RCW 42.56.580 and is published in the Washington State Register.

(4) The public records officer will oversee compliance with the Public Records Act, but a designee of the public records officer may process the request or otherwise fulfill the duties of the public records officer. The public records officer will provide the fullest assistance to requestors.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.17.060, 42.56.040, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 14-19-056, § 16-06-180, filed 9/12/14, effective 10/13/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-180, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-180, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Availability of public records.

(1) All the department's public records are available for disclosure except as otherwise provided by chapter 42.56 RCW or any other law. Many records are available on the department's website at: http://agr.wa.gov. Requestors are encouraged to view the records available on the website prior to submitting a records request.

(2) The department will respond promptly to requests for disclosure. Email requests will be handled in the same manner as other types of mail received by the department. Public records requests received by email after regular business hours will be considered received on the next business day. Within five business days of receiving a public records request, the department will respond by doing one or more of the following:

(a) Make the records available for inspection or copying;

(b) Send the copies to the requestor if copies are requested and payment of a deposit for the copies is made or terms of payment have been agreed upon;

(d) Request clarification from the requestor if the request is unclear or does not sufficiently identify the requested records. Clarification may be requested and provided by telephone; or

(e) Deny the public records request.

(3) The public records officer may revise the estimate of when records will be available when it is necessary to clarify the request, to locate and assemble the information requested, to notify third persons or agencies affected by the request, or to determine whether any of the information requested is exempt from disclosure.

(4)(a) Some records are exempt from disclosure, in whole or in part. If the department believes that a record is exempt from disclosure and should be withheld, the department will provide a written statement of the specific exemption and provide a brief explanation of why the record or a portion of the record is being withheld.

(b) If only a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, the department will redact the exempt portions, provide the nonexempt portions, and indicate to the requestor why portions of the records are being redacted.

(5) In the event the requested records name a specific person or pertain to a specific person and may be exempt from disclosure, the department may, prior to providing the records, give notice to others whose rights may be affected by the disclosure. Sufficient notice will be given to allow affected persons to seek an order from a court to prevent or limit the disclosure. The notice to the affected persons will include a copy of the request.

(6)(a) The public records officer may provide access for inspection and copying of records in installments when the request is for a large number of records.

(b) The public records officer may stop searching for the remaining records and close the request if within thirty days the requestor fails to claim or inspect records in one or more of the installments.

(c) The department has the discretion to determine the order in which it responds to requests for public records based on staff and resource availability, the size of the request, and the ease in locating or duplicating the records requested.

(7) The public records officer will close the request and indicate to the requestor that the department has closed the request when the requestor:

(a) Withdraws the request;

(b) Fails to provide clarification when requested by the department;

(d) Fails to pay the deposit or pay the final payment for the requested copies.

(8) If, after the department has informed the requestor that it has provided all available records, the department becomes aware of additional responsive records existing at the time of the request, it will promptly inform the requestor of the additional records and provide them on an expedited basis.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-185, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-185, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Public records requests.

(1) Persons seeking public records are encouraged to use the online public records center portal on the department's website at https://agr.wa.gov/contact-us/public-disclosure.

(2) Alternatively, a request may be submitted to the public records officer in writing using the department's public records request form or other written format using the following methods:

(a) By mail at: Washington State Department of Agriculture, Attn: Public Records Officer, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560;

(b) By email at publicdisclosure@agr.wa.gov; or

(3) Requests must include the following information:

(a) The name, address and telephone number or other contact information of the person requesting the records;

(b) The date on which the request is made; and

(4) If a requestor cannot submit a request for public records in writing and desires to make an oral request either in person or by telephone, the public records officer or designee receiving the request will summarize the request in writing and then verify in writing with the requestor that the summary correctly memorializes the request.

(5) A person wishing to inspect or copy the department's public records may do so during customary business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.56.040. WSR 20-16-011, § 16-06-190, filed 7/23/20, effective 8/23/20. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-190, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-190, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Costs of disclosure.

(1) No fee will be charged for the inspection of public records.

(2) Pursuant to RCW 42.56.120(2), the department declares for the following reasons that it would be unduly burdensome for it to calculate the actual costs it charges for providing copies of public records: Funds were not allocated for performing a study to calculate such actual costs and the agency lacks the necessary funds to perform a study and calculations; staff resources are insufficient to perform a study and to calculate such actual costs; and a study would interfere with and disrupt other essential agency functions.

(3) The department may charge fees for production of copies of public records consistent with the fee schedule established in RCW 42.56.120.

(4) The public records officer may waive the fee when the expenses of processing payment exceeds the costs of providing copies.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.56 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 17-20-102, § 16-06-200, filed 10/4/17, effective 11/4/17; WSR 17-06-034, § 16-06-200, filed 2/23/17, effective 3/26/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.17.060, 42.56.040, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 14-19-056, § 16-06-200, filed 9/12/14, effective 10/13/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-200, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-200, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Protection of public records.

In order to adequately protect the department's public records, the following will apply:

(1) Public records made available for inspection may not be removed from the area the department makes available for inspection. The department has the discretion to designate the means and the location for the inspection of records.

(2) Inspection of any public record will be conducted in the presence of a designated department employee.

(3) Public records may not be marked or altered in any manner during inspection.

(4) After inspection is complete, the public records officer or designee will make requested copies or arrange for copying.

(5) Public records that are maintained in a file or jacket, or in chronological order, may not be dismantled except by a designated department employee for purposes of copying.

(6) Whenever a public records request involves an entire file, a group of records, or a large number of records, the department is allowed a reasonable time to review the records to determine whether information is exempt from disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW or other law.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-205, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-205, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

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Exemptions.

(1) The Public Records Act exempts a number of types of records from public disclosure (see chapter 42.56 RCW).

(2) Records are also exempt from disclosure if any other statute exempts or prohibits disclosure. Requestors should be aware of the following exemptions outside of the Public Records Act, which restrict the availability of some records held by the department. This list is not exhaustive and other exemptions may apply:

(a) The semiannual report required in the Commercial Feed Act (reference RCW 15.53.9018).

(b) The department has the authority to publish reports of official seed inspections, seed certifications, laboratory statistics, verified violations of this chapter, and other seed branch activities which do not reveal confidential information regarding individual company operations or production (reference RCW 15.49.370(8)).

(d) Privileged or confidential information or data that contains trade secrets, commercial, or financial information submitted under the Washington Pesticide Control Act (reference RCW 15.58.060 (1)(c) and 15.58.065).

(e) Information submitted by an applicant under chapter 17.24 RCW that is privileged or confidential because it contains trade secrets or commercial or financial information (reference RCW 17.24.061).

(f) Under RCW 42.56.610 and 90.64.190, information identifying the number of animals; volume of livestock nutrients generated; number of acres covered by the plan or used for land application of livestock nutrients; livestock nutrients transferred to other persons; and crop yields in plans, records, and reports obtained by state and local agencies from dairies, animal feeding operations, and concentrated animal feeding operations not required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is disclosable in the following ranges:

(i) Number of animals: Beef cattle

1 to 19

20 to 159

160 to 299

300 to 999

1,000 to 5,999

6,000 to 10,999

11,000 to 15,999

16,000 to 20,999

21,000 to 25,999

26,000 to 31,199

31,200 to 37,439

37,440 to 44,999

45,000 and above

(ii) Number of animals: Mature dairy cattle

1 to 37

38 to 199

200 to 699

700 to 1,699

1,700 to 2,699

2,700 to 3,699

3,700 to 4,699

4,700 to 5,699

5,700 to 6,839

6,840 and above

(iii) Number of animals: Dairy heifers

1 to 49

50 to 149

150 to 299

300 to 999

1,000 to 1,999

2,000 to 2,999

3,000 to 3,999

4,000 and above

(iv) Number of animals: Swine (fifty-five pounds or greater)

1 to 19

20 to 159

160 to 399

400 to 749

750 to 2,499

2,500 to 4,249

4,250 to 5,999

6,000 to 7,749

7,750 and above

(v) Number of animals: Swine (less than fifty-five pounds)

1 to 99

100 to 499

500 to 1,099

1,100 to 1,999

2,000 to 2,999

3,000 to 9,999

10,000 to 16,999

17,000 to 23,999

24,000 to 30,999

31,000 and above

(vi) Number of animals: Layers (all ages)

1 to 199

200 to 999

1,000 to 10,999

11,000 to 24,999

25,000 to 81,999

82,000 to 138,999

139,000 to 195,999

196,000 to 252,999

253,000 to 309,999

310,000 to 371,999

372,000 to 446,399

446,400 to 535,679

535,680 to 642,815

642,816 to 771,379

771,380 to 925,655

925,656 to 1,110,787

1,110,788 to 1,332,945

1,332,946 and above

(vii) Number of animals: Broilers (all ages)

1 to 199

200 to 999

1,000 to 17,999

18,000 to 37,499

37,500 to 124,999

125,000 to 212,499

212,500 to 299,999

300,000 and above

(viii) Number of animals: Horses

1 to 19

20 to 79

80 to 149

150 to 499

500 to 849

850 to 1,199

1,200 to 1,549

1,550 and above

(ix) Livestock nutrients generated or exported by volume (ft3/day)

1 to 74

75 to 134

135 to 299

300 to 449

450 to 749

750 to 1,499

1,500 to 2,499

2,500 to 4,999

5,000 to 8,499

8,500 to 11,999

12,000 to 15,999

16,000 and above

(x) Livestock nutrients generated or exported by weight (tons/year)

1 to 5,256

5,257 to 10,512

10,513 to 21,024

21,025 to 42,048

42,049 to 84,096

84,097 to 164,184

164,185 to 262,734

262,735 to 394,200

394,201 to 558,384

558,385 to 722,634

722,635 to 919,734

919,735 to 1,051,134

1,051,135 and above

(xi) Number of acres covered by the plan or used for land application of livestock nutrients

0 to 25

26 to 65

66 to 120

121 to 300

301 to 550

551 to 900

901 to 1,300

1,301 to 1,800

1,801 to 2,500

2,501 to 3,200

3,201 to 4,000

4,001 to 6,000

6,001 to 9,000

9,001 to 11,500

11,501 to 14,000

14,001 and above

(xii) Crop yields - tons/acre

0 to 1

1.1 to 2

2.1 to 3.5

3.6 to 5

5.1 to 7

7.1 to 9

9.1 to 12

12.1 to 14.5

14.6 to 17

17.1 to 19.5

19.6 to 22

22.1 to 26

26.1 and above

(g) A person aggrieved by a violation of chapter 17.21 RCW or the rules adopted under that chapter is entitled, on request, to have his or her name protected from disclosure in any communication with persons outside the department and in any record published, released, or made available to persons outside the department except as provided in RCW 17.21.340 (1)(a)(ii).

(h) Information about marijuana processors otherwise exempt from public inspection and copying under chapter 42.56 RCW is also exempt from public inspection and copying if submitted to or used by the department (reference RCW 69.07.200(4)).

(i) Information about marijuana producers, marijuana processors, and marijuana retailers otherwise exempt from public inspection and copying under chapter 42.56 RCW is also exempt from public inspection and copying if submitted to or used by the department (reference RCW 15.125.050).

(3) A list of common record exemptions can be found on the department's website.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.56.040. WSR 20-16-011, § 16-06-210, filed 7/23/20, effective 8/23/20. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.56 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 17-20-102, § 16-06-210, filed 10/4/17, effective 11/4/17; WSR 17-06-034, § 16-06-210, filed 2/23/17, effective 3/26/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.17.060, 42.56.040, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 14-19-056, § 16-06-210, filed 9/12/14, effective 10/13/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-210, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-210, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

PDF16-06-220

Review of denial of request for inspection or copying of public records.

(1) Any person who objects to the initial denial of a records request may petition in writing to the administrative regulations program manager for a review of that decision. The petition shall include a copy of, or reasonably identify, the written statement by the department denying the request.

(2) The administrative regulations program manager will immediately consider the petition and either affirm or reverse the denial within two business days following the department's receipt of the petition, or within such other time as the department and the requestor mutually agree to.

(3) Under RCW 42.56.530, if the department denies a requestor access to public records because it claims the record is exempt in whole or in part from disclosure, the requestor may request the attorney general's office to review the matter. The attorney general has adopted rules on such requests in WAC 44-06-160.

(4) Any person may obtain court review of a denial of a public records request under RCW 42.56.550 at the conclusion of two business days after the initial denial, regardless of any internal administrative appeal.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.17.060, 42.56.040, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 14-19-056, § 16-06-220, filed 9/12/14, effective 10/13/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-220, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-220, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

PDF16-06-225

Records index.

(1) The department's public records officer, located in the Olympia administrative office, will develop and maintain an agency index of the following records:

(a) Department records retention schedules;

(b) Final orders;

(d) Interpretative statements;

(e) Policy statements; and

(f) Department rule docket.

(2) Information on obtaining or viewing the department's index can be obtained from the public records officer at the department's headquarters office located at: Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street, S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-225, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.17 and 43.23 RCW. WSR 96-14-086, § 16-06-225, filed 7/2/96, effective 8/2/96.]

PDF16-06-250

Processing of public records requests—Electronic records.

(1) Requesting electronic records: The process for requesting electronic public records is the same as for requesting paper public records.

(2) Providing electronic records:

(a) The department has the discretion to determine whether to provide records electronically or in paper form.

(b) When a requestor requests records in an electronic format, the public records officer will endeavor to provide the nonexempt records or portions of such records that are reasonably locatable in an electronic format that is used by the department and is generally commercially available, or in a format that is reasonably translatable from the format in which the department keeps the record.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 42.56 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 17-06-034, § 16-06-250, filed 2/23/17, effective 3/26/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.17.060, 42.56.040, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 14-19-056, § 16-06-250, filed 9/12/14, effective 10/13/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05, 42.56, and 43.23 RCW. WSR 09-03-032, § 16-06-250, filed 1/12/09, effective 2/12/09.]

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