PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amend Title 222 WAC, Forest Practices Act, related to northern spotted owl protection.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 76.09.010(1), 76.09.040.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 1996 the Forest Practices Board responded to the Endangered Species Act listing of the northern spotted owl as "threatened" by adopting rules to protect its habitat on state and private forestlands. The northern spotted owl's populations are thought to have declined significantly in Washington state since 1996. The board is considering possible actions, including forest practices rule changes for state and private forestlands, to strengthen the conservation of spotted owl habitat on lands under the board's jurisdiction.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Fish and Wildlife Service administers the federal Endangered Species Act for upland wildlife, including the northern spotted owl. The board intends that the Department of Natural Resources, which implements board actions, will work with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other stakeholders, including the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, to develop recommendations for the board's consideration.
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. Mail, fax, or e-mail comments to Patricia Anderson, Forest Practices Board Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Division, 1111 Washington Street S.E., 4th Floor, P.O. Box 47012, Olympia, WA 98504-7012, fax (360) 902-1428, e-mail forestpracticesboard@wadnr.gov.
August 16, 2005
L. S. Young, Acting
for Pat McElroy
Chairman