Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial and recreational fishing rules in Hood Canal.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In recent years, the waters of Hood Canal have shown very low levels of dissolved oxygen. These low levels are causing morality of fish and shellfish and inducing sublethal stress on the survivors. In 2002 and 2003 the director issued emergency rules that prohibited fishing for marine fish and some shellfish during the period of low dissolved oxygen. It is now necessary to enact these fishing closures on a permanent basis.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Greg Bargmann, Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, (360) 902-2944, (360) 902-2825. Contact by May 6, 2004. Expected proposal filing on or after May 7, 2004.

March 9, 2004

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator