PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 232-12-071 Buying or selling game unlawful.
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: The current rule does not make it illegal to buy and sell unlawfully taken wildlife. The proposed rule will prohibit the sale, purchase, and trade of fish, shellfish, and wildlife taken in violation of any law or regulation. It also will prohibit the sale, purchase, and trade of deer antlers and elk antlers (except those naturally shed), and all bear parts, unless authorized by a written permit issued by the director.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Department of Agriculture. For this WAC, the Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) is prohibiting activities that these federal agencies prohibit.
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 Lori Preuss, WDFW Enforcement, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2930, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail at Lori.preuss@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by February 1, 2009. Expected proposal filing on or after February 18, 2009.
December 8, 2008
Loreva M. Preuss
Rules Coordinator