WSR 23-21-087
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Filed October 17, 2023, 11:28 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) is considering changes to rules for recreational clam, mussel, and oyster harvest seasons.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: WDFW must annually amend recreational clam, mussel, and oyster season rules on some public tidelands in response to shellfish population changes, shifts in recreational effort, conservation issues, and negotiations with treaty tribes and other state agencies. Such amendments are designed to perpetuate shellfish resources while maximizing recreational harvest opportunity for the public.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington department of health (DOH). WDFW works closely with DOH to monitor and close beaches, if necessary, to recreational clam, mussel, and oyster harvest if there is a risk to public health.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Title VI/ADA compliance coordinator, phone 360-902-2349, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email Title6@dfw.wa.gov; or Camille Speck, Intertidal Bivalve Manager, 375 Hudson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, phone 360-302-3030 ext. 313, fax 360-302-3030, email Camille.speck@dfw.wa.gov.
October 17, 2023
Scott Bird
Rules Coordinator