WSR 13-18-079

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 4, 2013, 8:20 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Changes to Columbia River commercial salmon fishing rules, including possible new rules relating to emerging commercial fisheries using alternative fishing gear types.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, 77.12.047, 77.65.400, and 77.70.160.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule changes are needed to implement guidance provided in Fish and Wildlife Commission Policy C-3620, Columbia River Basin Salmon Management, in the Lower Columbia River. The department may propose new rules relating to emerging commercial fisheries as part of this project.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Oregon department of fish and wildlife and NOAA fisheries coordinate with Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) through the Columbia River compact process to regulate commercial salmon fisheries in the Lower Columbia River.

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 Ronald Roler, WDFW, 2108 Grand Boulevard, Vancouver, WA 98661, phone (360) 906-6737, fax (360) 906-6776, e-mail Ronald.Roler@dfw.wa.gov.

Contact by October 16, 2013. Expected proposal filing on or after October 23, 2013.

September 4, 2013

Joanna M. Eide

Administrative Regulations Analyst