WSR 16-10-099

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 4, 2016, 9:18 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering amendments to rules regarding charter stamps.

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

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department needs a rule to expressly prohibit fishing guides and charter-boat operators from reusing charter stamps rather than issuing new stamps as contemplated by RCW 77.32.430. The proposed rule project will: (1) Lay out the process for validating charter stamps so the stamps cannot be reused; and (2) ensure that charter-stamp-validation violations and the reuse of stamps are penalized appropriately. This rule making will involve the responsibilities of charter operators as well as how catch record cards are used and the recording of catch occurs.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Scott Bird, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 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.

May 3, 2016

Scott Bird

Rules Coordinator