WSR 15-07-105

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 18, 2015, 9:57 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering amendments to recreational fishing rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.15.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department must amend recreational fishing rules to meet conservation objectives and provide fishing opportunities within those conservation objectives. The department is considering changes to the freshwater areas of the Puget Sound and coast, as well as for warm water fisheries in the Columbia River mainstem waters contiguous with Oregon. The department may consider additional recreational fishing rule changes if necessary.

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, WDFW Rules Coordinator, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2403, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by September 4, 2015. Expected preproposal filing on or after September 23, 2015.

March 18, 2015

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator