WSR 14-21-160

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 22, 2014, 6:02 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering amendments to rules regarding recreational fishing for bottomfish in Quilcene Bay and Dabob Bay.

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

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In a response to a petition for rule making to open Hood Canal to recreational harvest of bottomfish, the fish and wildlife commission directed to the department to initiate rule making to explore changes to recreational fishing rules for selected species of bottomfish in Quilcene Bay and Dabob Bay. Potential rule changes would provide recreational fishing opportunity on selected species of bottomfish consistent with conservation objectives.

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 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2403, e-mail Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov. Expected preproposal filing on or after December 5, 2014.

October 22, 2014

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator