WSR 08-21-059

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed October 9, 2008, 2:58 p.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: Aquatic invasive species, and rules, including WAC 232-12-016 and 232-12-168, pertaining to aquatic invasive species.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.12.875.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Aquatic invasive species are a serious environmental and economic problem in the United States. Washington wants to thwart the introduction of these species into the state. New rules and rule changes are needed to accomplish this.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Ecology, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

     State: Natural resource agencies of Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Also, the Washington department of ecology, and the Washington invasive species council.

     Staff is working closely with the above agencies to ensure that Washington department of fish and wildlife's policies and procedures are based on sound, current data and experience.

     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 lori.preuss@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by December 1, 2008. Expected proposal filing on or after December 24, 2008.

October 9, 2008

Loreva M. Preuss

Rules Coordinator

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