Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-22-017.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Invasive aquatic species response plan.

     Hearing Location(s): Natural Resources Building, 111 [1111] Washington Street, Olympia, WA, on February 10-11, 2006, begins 8:00 a.m., February 10, 2006.

     Date of Intended Adoption: February 10, 2006.

     Submit Written Comments to: Evan Jacoby, Rules Coordinator, 600 Capitol Way, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, e-mail jacobesj@dfw.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2155, by February 3, 2006.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Susan Yeager by January 27, 2006, TTY (360) 902-2207 or (360) 902-2267.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: These rules classify two species of tunicates as prohibited aquatic species and establish a response plan.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Two species of tunicates have been identified as invasive in Puget Sound. A response plan was formulated to allow divers to clean Pleasant Harbor. These rules establish the species as prohibited aquatic species and establish a permanent response plan.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.828.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of fish and wildlife, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Evan Jacoby, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, (360) 902-2930; Implementation: Lew Atkins, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, (360) 902-2651; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, (360) 902-2373.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule establishes how volunteers will dispose of invasive tunicates. There are no businesses who perform this activity, and therefore, the rule has no effect on any existing small business.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These rule proposals do not affect hydraulics.

January 3, 2006

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

OTS-8559.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 03-312, filed 12/16/03, effective 1/16/04)

WAC 220-12-090   Classification -- Nonnative aquatic animal species.   (1) Prohibited aquatic animal species. The following species are classified as prohibited aquatic animal species:

     (a) Amphibians:

     (i) In the family Hylidae: Cricket frog, in the genus Hyla species in the group Arborea including: Hyla annectans, Hyla arborea, Hyla chinensis, Hyla hallowellii, Hyla immaculata, Hyla japonica, Hyla meridionalis, Hyla sanchiangensis, Hyla simplex, Hyla suweonensis, Hyla tsinlingensis, Hyla ussuriensis, and Hyla zhaopingensis.

     (ii) In the family Pelobatidae, spadefoots, all species of the genus Pelobates including P. cultripes, P. fuscus, P. syriacus, and P. varaldii. All species of the genus Scaphiopus including: S. couchii, S. holbrookii, and S. hurterii. All species of the genus Spea including: S. hurterii, S. bombifrons, S. hammondii, and S. multiplicata with the exception of the native species: Spea intermontana the great basin spadefoot.

     (iii) In the family Pipidae: African clawed frog, all members of the genera Silurana, and Xenopus.

     (iv) In the family Ranidae:

     (A) Bull frog, Rana catesbeiana.

     (B) Holoarctic brown frogs and Palearctic green frogs of the genus Rana, including the following: Rana arvalis group (R. arvalis, R. chaochiaoensis, R. chevronta); Rana chensinensis group (R. altaica, R. chensinensis, R. dybowskii, R. kukunoris, R. kunyuensis, R. ornativentris, R. pirica); Rana graeca group (R. graeca, R. italica); Rana japonica group (R. amurensis, R. aragonensis, R. japonica, R. omeimontis, R. zhenhaiensis); the subgenus Rugosa (Rana rugosa, Rana emeljanovi, Rana tientaiensis); Rana tagoi group (R. sakuraii, R. tagoi); Rana temporaria group (R. asiatica, R. dalmatina, R. honnorate, R. huanrenensis, R. iberica, R. latastei, R. macrocnemis, R. okinavana, R. pyrenaica, R. tsushimensis, R. zhengi); and in the Rana Pelophylax section, the subgenus Pelophylax (R. bedriagae, R. bergeri, R. cerigensis, R. chosenica, R. cretensis, R. demarchii, R. epeirotica, R. fukienensis, R. grafti, R. hubeiensis, R. lateralis, R. lessonae, R. nigrolineata, R. nigromaculata, R. perezi, R. plancyi, R. porosa, R. ridibunda, R. saharica, R. shqiperica, R. shuchinae, R. terentievi, R. tenggerensis); and the Rana ridibunda-Rana lessonae hybridogenetic complex species R. esculenta and R. hispanica.

     (v) In the family Ambystomatidae: Mole salamanders. In the genus Ambystomata: A. californiense, A. laterale, A. opacum, A. rosaceum, A. tigrinum, except for the native species A. tigrinum mavortium Western tiger salamander, and A. tigrinum melanostictum Tiger salamander.

     (vi) In the family Amphiumidae one, two, and three toed salamanders or congo eels: All members of the genus Amphiuma.

     (vii) In the family Cryptobranchidae: Giant salamanders and hellbenders, all members of the genera Andrias and Cryptobranchus.

     (viii) In the family Dicamptodontidae, American giant salamanders, all members of the genus Dicamptodon, except for the native species: Dicamptodon tenebrosus, Pacific giant salamander, and Dicamptodon copei, Cope's giant salamander.

     (ix) In the family Hynobiidae: Mountain salamanders, all members of the genera Batrachuperus, Hynobius, Liua, Onychodactylus, Pachyhynobius, Pseudohynobius, Ranodon, and Salamandrella.

     (x) In the family Plethodontidae, subfamily Desmognathinae: All members of the genus Desmognathus, dusky salamander.

     (xi) In the family Plethodontidae, subfamily Plethodontinae: All members of the genera Aneides (climbing salamanders); Batrachoseps (slender salamanders); Eurycea (American brook salamanders); Gyrinophilus (cave salamanders); Hemidactylium (four-toed salamanders); Hydromantes (web-toed salamanders); Plethodon (woodland and slimy salamanders); Pseudotriton (mud or red salamanders), and Speleomantes (European salamanders).

     (xii) In the family Proteidae, mudpuppies, all members of the genus Necturus and Proteus.

     (xiii) In the family Salamandridae: Newts, all members of the genera Chioglossa; Eichinotriton (mountain newts); Euproctus (European mt. salamander); Neurergus (Kurdistan newts); Notophthalmus (red-spotted newts); Pachytriton (Chinese newts); Paramesotriton (warty newts); Salamandrina (speckled salamander); Taricha except for the native species Taricha granulosa granulosa the Northern rough-skinned newt, and Triturus (alpine newts).

     (xiv) In the family Sirenidae, sirens, all species of the genera Pseudobranchus and Siren.

     (b) Reptiles:

     (i) In the family Chelydridae, snapping turtles, all species.

     (ii) In the family Emydidae:

     (A) Chinese pond turtles, all members of the genus Chinemys.

     (B) Pond turtles, all members of the genus Clemmys.

     (C) European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis.

     (D) Asian pond turtle, all members of the genus Mauremys.

     (iii) In the family Trionychidae, American soft shell turtles, all members of the genus Apalone.

     (c) Crustaceans:

     (i) Family Cercopagidae:

     (A) Fish hook water flea, Cercopagis pengoi.

     (B) Spiny water flea, Bythotrephes cederstroemi.

     (ii) Family Grapsidae: Mitten crabs: All members of the genus Erochier.

     (iii) Family Cambaridae: Crayfish: All genera.

     (iv) Family Parastacidae: Crayfish: All genera except Engaeos, and except the species Cherax quadricarinatus, Cherax papuanus, and Cherax tenuimanus.

     (v) Family Portunidae: European green crab, Carcinus maenas.

     (vi) Family Spheromatidae: Burrowing isopod, Sphaeroma quoyanum.

     (d) Fish:

     (i) Family Amiidae: Bowfin, grinnel, or mudfish, Amia calva.

     (ii) Family Channidae: China fish, snakeheads: All members of the genus Channa.

     (iii) Family Characidae: Piranha or caribe: All members of the genera Pygocentrus, Rooseveltiella, and Serrasalmus.

     (iv) Family Clariidae: Walking catfish: All members of the family.

     (v) Family Cyprinidae:

     (A) Fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas.

     (B) Carp, Bighead, Hypopthalmichthys nobilis.

     (C) Carp, Black, Mylopharyngodon piceus.

     (D) Carp, Grass (in the diploid form), Ctenopharyngodon idella.

     (E) Carp, Silver, Hypopthalmichthys molitrix.

     (F) Ide, silver orfe or golden orfe, Leuciscus idus.

     (G) Rudd, Scardinius erythropthalmus.

     (vi) Family Gobiidae: Round goby, Neogobius melanostomus.

     (vii) Family Esocidae: Northern pike, Esox lucius.

     (viii) Family Lepisosteidae: Gar-pikes: All members of the family.

     (e) Mammals:

     Family Myocastoridae: Nutria, Myocastor coypu.

     (f) Molluscs:

     (i) Family Dreissenidae: Zebra mussels: All members of the genus Dreissena and all species known as quagga.

     (ii) Family Gastropoda: New Zealand mud snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum.

     (g) Tunicates;

     (i) Family Styela: Rough or leathery sea squirt, Styela clava.

     (ii) Family Cionidae: Ciona savignyi.

     (2) Regulated aquatic animal species. The following species are classified as regulated aquatic animal species:

     (a) Crustaceans:

     All nonnative crustaceans classified as shellfish.

     (b) Fish:

     (i) All nonnative fish classified as food fish and game fish.

     (ii) Family Cichlidae: Tilapia: All members of the genera Tilapia, Oneochromis, and Sartheradon.

     (iii) Family Clupeidae: Alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus.

     (iv) Family Cyprinidae:

     (A) Common carp, koi, Cyprinus carpio.

     (B) Goldfish, Carassius auratus.

     (C) Tench, Tinca tinca.

     (D) Grass carp (in the triploid form), Ctenopharyngodon idella.

     (v) Family Poeciliidae: Mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis.

     (c) Molluscs:

     (i) All nonnative molluscs classified as shellfish.

     (ii) Family Psammobiidae: Mahogany clam or purple varnish clam, Nuttalia obscurata.

     (3) Unregulated aquatic animal species. The following species are classified as unregulated aquatic animal species: None.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 04-01-096 (Order 03-312), § 220-12-090, filed 12/16/03, effective 1/16/04; 02-19-007 (Order 02-223), § 220-12-090, filed 9/5/02, effective 10/6/02.]

OTS-8560.1

NEW SECTION
WAC 220-77-100   Invasive tunicate rapid response plan.   (1) The provisions of this section apply to the invasive tunicate species Styela clava and Ciona savignyi.

     (2) It is lawful to remove these tunicates from all state waters in unlimited quantities. The preferred method of removal is scraping the animal off the substrate, keeping the base intact. If this is impracticable, cutting the base as close to the substrate as possible and removal of the whole animal is acceptable.

     (3) Once specimens of these tunicates have been separated from the substrate, every effort should be made to remove the animal from the water. It is unlawful to simply scrape or cut the animal free from the substrate and release the animal into the water.

     (4) Specimens of these tunicates that have been removed from the water must be disposed of at an upland site. While delivery to a landfill or burial above the higher-high water line is preferred, any disposal that will not allow reintroduction of these tunicates into marine waters is acceptable. It is unlawful to reintroduce the tunicates into the water.

     (5) It is lawful to possess specimens of these tunicates for identification purposes, provided that they have been chemically preserved. Except for removal to an upland disposal site, it is unlawful to possess live specimens of these tunicates. This subsection does not apply to live specimens of these tunicates taken under a scientific collection permit.

[]