PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Public safety cougar hunting and public safety cougar removal rules. Cougar and bear seasons, permits, and damage; furbearer trapping seasons; waterfowl seasons, regulations, decoys, game reserves/closures; nontoxic shot; game management units; small game seasons and regulations. Clarification to language for protected wildlife.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.020, 77.12.047, and chapter 264, Laws of 2004.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 2004 legislature enacted a pilot program for cougar control and instructed the commission to adopt rules allowing the pursuit and killing of cougars with the use of dogs. The department will additionally review current public safety cougar removal rules. Provides clarification recreational opportunity.
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 Dave Brittell, Wildlife Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2504. Contact by June 17, 2004. Expected filing June 18, 2004.
April 29, 2004
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator