WSR 15-01-142

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 22, 2014, 9:57 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering changes to rules related to commercial forage fisheries.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes to rules involving forage fish are needed to correct the term "offshore" so it includes waters between the shoreline and three miles offshore, to remove a conflict with the directed sardine fishery WAC, and to address technical changes to rules involving forage fish to improve consistency and clarity.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department will coordinate with the National Marine Fisheries Service as necessary.

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 Joanna Eide, Rules Coordinator, WDFW Enforcement, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2403, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by January 30, 2014 [2015]. Expected proposal filing on or after February 6, 2015.

December 22, 2014

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator