WSR 14-24-118

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 3, 2014, 10:04 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering rule making regarding hunting and trapping seasons, limits, and permits for big game, small game, and upland birds; GMUs and area boundaries; migratory bird hunting restriction areas and game reserves; hunter education instructor certification; hunters with disabilities; and amendments to other permanent rules regulating the taking of wildlife.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, 77.12.047, 77.12.120, 77.12.240, 77.12.800, 77.32.070, 77.32.090, 77.32.370, and 77.32.530.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments are needed to provide clarification, expand recreational opportunity, and mitigate wildlife conflicts, while maintaining sustainable game populations in light of population data. Rule making on these topics occurs every three years and this rule proposal will shape hunting seasons for the 2015-2017 hunting seasons.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Migratory birds are also regulated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and coordination is managed through the Pacific Flyway. State regulations are designed to fit within the parameters of the USFWS regulation guidelines.

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 January 15, 2015. Expected proposal filing on or after January 16, 2015.

December 3, 2014

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator