WSR 26-03-066
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-02—Filed January 16, 2026, 2:38 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Washington state department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) is considering amending current Puget Sound commercial salmon fishing rules resulting from stakeholder recommendations made during the 2026 North of Falcon process.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Puget Sound commercial salmon fishing rules [are] based on North of Falcon recommendations that change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to Puget Sound commercial fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes made during the North of Falcon process.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, fisheries, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. These agencies, as well as WDFW, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and the Pacific Salmon Commission, all provide input and/or take part in the North of Falcon meetings and recommendations.
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 WDFW Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 855-925-2801, project code 2682, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email 2026nofpscommercialcr101@publicinput.com, website https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/2026nofpscommercialcr101 or https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/north-falcon.
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.
January 16, 2026
Scott Bird
Rules Coordinator