Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of fish and wildlife (department) seeks to amend rules concerning the permanent closure of fishing areas near Washington state ferry terminals that would prohibit either commercial or recreational purse seine fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and gillnetting.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department seeks to improve public and worker safety by prohibiting either commercial or recreational crabbing, shrimping, purse seine fishing, and gillnetting near all ferry terminals managed by the Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT). In addition to safety and worker safety concerns, the commercial and recreational fishing equipment associated with these activities has historically caused significant and costly annual damage to WSDOT ferries. WSDOT has been unsuccessful in discouraging the public from commercially or recreationally fishing in these areas with public announcements, radio notices, and other outreach.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Scott Bird, Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200, phone 855-925-2801, project code 10992, email ferriesandfishinggear@publicinput.com, website http://publicinput.com/ferriesandfishinggear; or Lt. Erik Olson, Region 4, 16018 Mill Creek Boulevard, Mill Creek, WA 98012-1541, phone 425-775-1311.

Additional comments: Assistance for language translation, alternate format, or reasonable accommodation, contact Title VI/ADA compliance coordinator, phone 360-902-2349, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email Title6@dfw.wa.gov. For more information, see https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation.