PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Size limits of clams.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.047.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Populations of clams on certain state beaches are so large and dense as to cause stunting of individual clam growth. By liberalizing the minimum size for clam retention the harvest can increase, the population and density can decrease and the individual clams can reach a larger size which is more consistent with current maximum sustained yield management plans.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
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 Morris Barker, State Marine Resource Manager, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091. Contact by June 17, 2002, expected filing date is June 19, 2002.
March 21, 2002
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator