Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of fish and wildlife (department) is considering a recommendation to classify the island marble butterfly as state endangered, threatened, or sensitive as defined under chapter 220-610 WAC.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is responsible for making recommendations regarding the listing status of certain animal species, and if those species should be classified as sensitive, threatened, or endangered as defined under chapter 220-610 WAC. To properly classify the status of the island marble butterfly, the department will review all relevant data pertaining to the population status and factors affecting existence in Washington state. An initial department review indicates that the island marble butterfly is already listed as endangered as a species under the federal Endangered Species Act, its population has declined significantly, and multiple factors negatively affect its continued existence in Washington state.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal and state agencies that regulate or support occurrences of this species include the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and the Washington department of natural resources. The department will coordinate with appropriate federal and state agencies 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, 1111 Washington Street S.E., WA 98504, phone 855-925-2801, project code 10565, fax 360-902-2162, TTY 360-902-2349 or 711, email islandmarblebutterflycr101@publicinput.com, website https://publicinput.com/islandmarblebutterflycr101; or Heather Bonagofski, 1111 Washington Street S.E., WA 98504, phone 360-902-2512, TTY 1-800-833-6388, email heather.bonagofski@dfw.wa.gov.