WSR 14-17-119

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 20, 2014, 9:17 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering amendments to WAC 220-44-050 and 220-69-230 to:

(1) Add requirements for the reporting of slope rockfish species delivered into the state, and

(2) Update agency contact information.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.04.090, 77.15.045, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Effective January 1, 2015, federal regulations will require the sorting of three slope rockfish species when landed into the state. This rule change is needed to effectively comply with the revised federal regulations and maintain or improve the accuracy of the department's catch accounting and port sampling efforts.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department will coordinate this proposed rule change with the National Marine Fisheries Service and other west coast states through the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the coastal treaty tribes. This rule change will not affect the tribal fisheries; however, the tribes may independently choose to enact similar regulations.

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 Corey Niles, Coastal Marine Policy Lead, 48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA 98563, e-mail corey.niles@dfw.wa.gov, phone (360) 249-1223, fax (360) 249-1229.

August 20, 2014

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator