Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department seeks to amend the following rules in chapter 220-330 WAC: WAC 220-330-110 Clams other than razor clams, and mussels—Areas and seasons, 220-330-140 Oysters—Areas and seasons, 220-330-040 Crab—Areas and seasons—Personal use, and 220-330-100 Personal-use crab, shrimp, crawfish—Unlawful acts.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department seeks to make several changes to shellfish rules located in chapter 220-330 WAC which include the following: (1) Remove sections from two shellfish rules which decriminalize the possession and/or harvesting of oysters and clams during the closed season, (2) clarify that violations described in a shellfish rule apply to use of unlawful gear without possession of shellfish, and (3) correct invalid RCW references in two shellfish rules.

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

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Scott Bird, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200, phone 360-902-2403, email scott.bird@dfw.wa.gov.