Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Weak year-classes of wild-caught-larval (WCL) white sturgeon produced between 2011-2016 (year-classes of concern), which were reared and released as part of the conservation aquaculture program in Lake Roosevelt, will begin entering harvestable sizes in 2023. This group of sturgeon is present in low abundance but has high conservation value. Concurrently, there is a need to maintain a harvest sturgeon fishery in Lake Roosevelt in order to remove over-represented year-classes of hatchery sturgeon produced from 2001-2010. The Lake Roosevelt sturgeon fishery will require multiple rule changes over the next decade in order to maintain harvest of target year-classes of sturgeon while managing the fishery to minimize harvest impacts to wild caught larvae year-classes of concern.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: WDFW is the sole authority regulating the Lake Roosevelt recreational sturgeon fishery. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians regulate tribal sturgeon fisheries in Lake Roosevelt.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kelly Henderson, phone 855-925-2801, project code 5179, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email roosevelt-sturgeon@PublicInput.com, website https://publicinput.com/roosevelt-sturgeon.

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.