WSR 16-13-044

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 8, 2016, 10:39 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is conducting periodic status reviews for species currently listed as sensitive, threatened (WAC 232-12-011) or endangered (WAC 232-12-014). Species to be reviewed include the following: Bald eagle, white pelican, peregrine falcon, western pond turtle, woodland caribou, upland sandpiper, fisher, sandhill crane, green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, yellow billed cuckoo, pygmy rabbit, Oregon silverspot, common loon, mardon skipper, grizzly bear, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, ferruginous hawk, northern leopard frog, sea otter, humpback whale, gray whale, blue whale, fin whale, right whale, sei whale, sperm whale, larch mountain salamander.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is responsible for making recommendations to maintain the current listing status of certain animal species as sensitive, threatened, or endangered or reclassify these species as necessary. To properly classify the status of a species, the department will review all relevant data pertaining to the population status and factors affecting existence in Washington state for the species under review.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal and state agencies that regulate these species include the United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Washington department of natural resources. The department will coordinate with appropriate federal and state agencies during the review period.

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 Eric Gardener, Wildlife Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2510, fax (360) 902-2162, e-mail Wildthing@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by July 12, 2016. Expected proposal filing on or after July 20, 2016.

June 8, 2016

Scott Bird

Rules Coordinator