WSR 18-21-163
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Filed October 22, 2018, 2:35 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Closure of the white sturgeon sport retention fishery in the Columbia River from McNary Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam and the lower Snake River from the mouth to Ice Harbor Dam.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The natural production of white sturgeon in McNary Reservoir is intermittent and minimal. Population assessments conducted in 1995 and 2011 indicated a population capable of supporting only a limited harvest fishery. Funding, staff, and equipment necessary to implement semi-annual stock assessment and in-season harvest management programs is not available now or in the near future. Therefore, this modification will make the regulations in this area consistent with the regulations in other areas with limited natural production.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The rules concerning this are coordinated with Oregon department of fish and wildlife.
Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Scott Bird, P.O. Box 43153, Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-902-2403, fax 360-902-2155, email Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov.
October 22, 2018
Scott Bird
Rules Coordinator