Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is reviewing the status of the Columbian white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus leucurus) currently listed as endangered (WAC 220-610-010).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, 77.15.120, and 77.15.130.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department will review all relevant data pertaining to the population status and factors affecting existence in Washington for the Columbian white-tailed deer. Based on the information collected and reviewed, the department will make recommendations to maintain the Columbian white-tailed deer current listing status as endangered or reclassify the Columbian white-tailed deer to sensitive or threatened. The department may also recommend to "delist" the Columbian white-tailed deer and reclassify as protected wildlife or unclassified wildlife.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal and state agencies that regulate these species include the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Washington department of natural resources. The department will coordinate with appropriate entities during the review period.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Eric Gardner, P.O. Box 43200, phone 855-925-2801, project code 4007, fax 360-902-2162, TTY 360-902-2349 or TTY 711, email WhiteTailedDeer@PublicInput.com, website https://publicinput.com/WhiteTailedDeer; or Heather Bonagofski, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-902-2512, email heather.bonagofski@dfw.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Assistance for additional accessibility and persons with disabilities contact Title VI/ADA compliance coordinator, phone 360-902-2349, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email Title6@dfw.wa.gov.