PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Recreational harvest of shellfish in Puget Sound.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012 and 77.12.047.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: It is currently illegal to recreationally harvest shellfish from public beaches that are closed by the Washington department of health (DOH). However, there are no rules prohibiting people from harvesting shellfish from private and other beaches that are closed by DOH. Such rules will allow the Washington department of fish and wildlife to protect the state's shellfish industry and enhance recreational shellfish harvesting opportunities.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: DOH.
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 15, 2010. Expected proposal filing date is October 20, 2010.
September 1, 2010
Lori Preuss
Rules Coordinator