WSR 14-02-114

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 31, 2013, 4:19 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to rules regarding commercial and recreational fishing for smelt in Puget Sound.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.04.130, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering changes to commercial and recreational Puget Sound smelt fishing rules to address conservation and orderly fisheries issues.

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 Joanna Eide, Rules Coordinator, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, phone (360) 902-2403, e-mail Joanna.Eide@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by February 12, 2014. Expected proposal filing on or after February 19, 2014.

December 31, 2013

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator