WSR 14-11-098

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 21, 2014, 9:51 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to cougar public safety rules and wildlife interaction rules involving wildlife control operators.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.240, 77.12.320, 77.12.150, 77.15.245, and chapter 77.36 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amending cougar public safety rules to address human-cougar incidents, cougar-livestock and cougar-pet depredations. The department is also considering amending rules regarding wildlife control operators to adjust for organizational changes within the agency.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington department of fish and wildlife will keep United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services informed of this rule making. The department will coordinate with USDA Wildlife Services as needed.

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 Nate Pamplin, Wildlife Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2515, fax (360) 902-2162, e-mail Wildthing@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by July 9, 2014. Expected proposal filing on or after July 23, 2014.

May 21, 2014

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator