WSR 05-16-052

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed July 28, 2005, 1:37 p.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: Coastal crab commercial fishing rules.

     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 department is reviewing, with Oregon, reciprocal closure of EEZ waters beyond the state territorial waters to crab fishers not licensed to land in the respective states. Rules would be needed to implement this proposal, if it is adopted by both states.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The proposal is being coordinated with Oregon through the intergovernmental resource management program.

     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 Phil Anderson, Intergovernmental Resource Manager Program Special Assistant, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98504-1091, phone (360) 902-2720. Contact by September 15, 2005. Expected proposal filing on or after September 16, 2005.

July 28, 2005

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

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