Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to hydraulic code rules, chapter 220-660 WAC, necessary to implement 2SHB 1579 (chapter 290, Laws of 2019), which becomes effective on July 28, 2019. Rule sections requiring amendment include WAC 220-660-050 Procedures—Hydraulic project approvals, 220-660-370 Bank protection in saltwater areas, 220-660-460 Informal appeal of administrative actions, 220-660-470 Formal appeal of administrative actions, and 220-660-480 Compliance with HPA provisions.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule amendments are needed to implement elements in sections 4 through 11 of 2SHB 1579 to add a mechanism for preapplication determination, implement enhanced civil compliance tools, remove references to repealed statutes, and clarify administrative actions that are subject to informal and formal appeal.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) is the sole authority regulating hydraulic projects under chapter 77.55 RCW, and the only state agency that regulates hydraulic projects solely for the protection of all fish life. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Washington department of ecology, Washington department of natural resources, Washington state parks, and local governments also regulate certain aspects of hydraulic projects under their own authorities. National Marine Fisheries Service and United States Fish and Wildlife Service regulate the "take" of threatened or endangered species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Tribes regulate fisheries and certain aspects of construction projects on tribal lands. State, federal, and local government entities will be invited to comment on draft rules during the rule-making process. WDFW will conduct government-to-government consultation with tribes.

WDFW determined that the standard process for the adoption of administrative rules under the Administrative Procedures [Procedure] Act (chapter 34.05 RCW) and the provisions for significant legislative rules (RCW 34.05.328) is the appropriate process for this hydraulic code rule making. Negotiated rule making is not practicable because rule language will mirror statute language, which reflects collaboration during the legislative session, and because negotiated rule making would increase the time needed and the cost of rule making without added benefit. Pilot rule making is not applicable because the statutory changes, and therefore the proposed amendments, apply statewide.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Randi Thurston, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200, phone 360-902-2602, fax 360-902-2946, TTY 360-902-2207, email HPARules@dfw.wa.gov, web site https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/environmental/hpa/rulemaking.

Additional comments: WDFW's hydraulic project approval rule-making web page at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/environmental/hpa/rulemaking will provide background for the proposed rules, the timeline for the rule-making process, and related documents as they become available. Official rule-making files are located at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development.