WSR 97-24-111

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

PARKS AND RECREATION

COMMISSION

[Filed December 3, 1997, 11:12 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 352-60 WAC, Recreational vessel equipment and operation.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 391, Laws of 1997 and RCW 43.51.400.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rules will designate as whitewater rivers all sections of rivers with at least one class III rapid or greater, in addition to rivers listed in RCW 88.12.265. The purpose is to identify whitewater rivers where commercial whitewater river outfitters must comply with regulations.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Department of Licensing will license whitewater river outfitters. State parks is coordinating rule adoption with licensing.

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. To submit comments or get additional information, contact Mark Kenny at Washington State Parks, P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, phone (360) 902-8510, FAX (360) 753-1592, e-mail markk@parks.wa.gov.

December 3, 1997

Jim French