WSR 24-14-151
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-18—Filed July 3, 2024, 12:00 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 24-01-142 on December 20, 2023.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 220-417-010 Trapping seasons and regulations.
Hearing Location(s): On August 9-10, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., at the Natural Resources Building, Room 175, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504. Information on how to register to testify at the public hearing is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission.meetings, or contact the commission office at 360-902-2267.
Date of Intended Adoption: On or after September 27, 2024.
Submit Written Comments to: Wildlife Program, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504, email 2024trappingcr102@publicinput.com, fax 360-902-2162, https://publicinput.com/2024trappingcr102, phone 855-925-2801, code 7087, beginning July 3, 2024, by August 9, 2024 by 11:59 p.m.
Assistance for 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, http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, by August 9, 2024.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rule would amend WAC 220-417-010 Trapping seasons and regulations, to restrict trapping of red fox. The proposed change would close fox trapping within the exterior boundaries of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests to prevent accidental take of state endangered Cascade red fox.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The state endangered Cascade red fox (Vulpes vulpes cascadensis) is at risk of being captured via recreational trapping activities within the exterior boundaries of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests where they overlap with the regular species of red fox (V. vulpes) which is not state or federally listed. Therefore, closing red fox trapping in these areas will prevent accidental take of the state endangered Cascade red fox.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: WDFW, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Eric Gardner, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, 360-902-2515; Enforcement: Steve Bear, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, 360-902-2373.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW
34.05.328.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. [No information supplied by agency.]
July 3, 2024
Scott Bird
Rules Coordinator
OTS-5496.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-14-022, filed 6/28/21, effective 7/29/21)
WAC 220-417-010Trapping seasons and regulations.
(1) Statewide trapping seasons:
SPECIES | SEASON DATES | RESTRICTIONS |
Badger, Beaver, Bobcat, Mink, Muskrat, Raccoon, ((Red Fox,)) River Otter, and Weasel | Nov. 1 - Mar. 31 during the current license year | |
Marten | Nov. 1 - Mar. 31 during the current license year | CLOSED in Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, and Gray's Harbor counties. |
Red Fox | Nov. 1 - Mar. 31 during the current license year | CLOSED within the exterior boundaries of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. |
(2) Participation requirements:
(a) A valid Washington state trapper's license is required.
(b) To be issued your first Washington state trapping license an individual must pass the Washington state trapper education exam.
(c) Licensed trappers must comply with reporting requirements in WAC 220-417-020.