WSR 13-14-125

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed July 3, 2013, 11:50 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending recreational fishing rules for the 2014 season and to correct and clarify where needed.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, and 77.15.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department must amend recreational fishing rules on an annual basis to respond to fish population changes, fish and wildlife commission assignments, housekeeping needs, and conservation issues. The department is considering changes to WAC 232-28-619 Washington food fish and game fish—Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules, to allow a sixteen-fish daily limit for walleye on the San Poil River, and to prohibit fishing from boats equipped with an internal combustion motor on the Naselle River, year-round. The department may consider additional recreational fishing changes if necessary.

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 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 August 16, 2013. Expected proposal filing date is on or after August 21, 2013.

July 3, 2013

Lori Preuss

Rules Coordinator