WSR 18-05-035 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Filed February 12, 2018, 2:01 p.m.] Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial shellfish and shellfish aquaculture rules. Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed changes are intended to clarify existing rules based on negotiations with treaty tribes and the Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) management policy concerning affected species. 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; and most of the changes have been negotiated with treaty tribes and are reflected in existing harvest management agreements. Other changes have been developed by WDFW staff with input from harvesters, processors, or other interested parties. Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Chris Eardley, Shellfish Policy Coordinator, 375 Hudson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, phone 360-302-3030 ext. 302, email Christopher.Eardley@dfw.wa.gov. February 12, 2018 Scott Bird Rules Coordinator |