PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 220-52-040 Commercial crab fishery -- Lawful and unlawful gear, methods, and other unlawful acts.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.047, and 77.70.430.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department has had to increase the price of crab pot buoy tags last year and this year by emergency rule to help the department recover buoy-tag program costs, which are approximately $50,242 each fiscal year. The cost of the tags, staff, shipping, and handling has increased 60% over the past three years. A permanent rule is needed to establish the new cost of the buoy tags at $1.25 per tag, to help the department fully fund the buoy-tag program.
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 Lori Preuss, WDFW Enforcement, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2930, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail Lori.Preuss@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by October 12, 2009. Expected proposal filing on or after October 21, 2009.
August 18, 2009
Lori Preuss
Rules Coordinator