WSR 98-01-174

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Filed December 23, 1997, 8:15 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Migratory and upland game bird, big game, small game, and special species hunting seasons and regulations; trapping seasons and regulations; game management unit (hunting areas) boundaries; hunting auctions and raffles; permit hunts and quotas; private lands wildlife management areas; game reserves; hunting hours; big game tagging; landowner damage hunts; hunting on the Colville Indian Reservation; transport tag fees; special closures and firearm restriction areas; hunting equipment restrictions; sage and sharptailed grouse listing.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.020, 77.12.030, 77.12.040, and 77.32.220.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Recreational opportunity; update sensitive, threatened and endangered lists to reflect current status of species; adjust listing process to be more efficient; and streamline process and clarify rules for wildlife rehabilitation permits.

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 Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, (360) 902-2504. Contact by January 25, 1998, rule proposal filing expected to be February 1998.

December 23, 1997

Evan Jacoby