WSR 16-20-106

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 5, 2016, 9:55 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering changes to recreational clam and oyster harvest season rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department must annually amend recreational clam and oyster season rules on some public tidelands in response to shellfish population changes, shifts in recreational effort, conservation issues, and negotiations with treaty tribes and other state agencies. Such amendments are designed to perpetuate shellfish resources while maximizing recreational harvest opportunity.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington department of health (DOH). Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) works closely with DOH to close beaches to recreational clam and oyster harvest if there is a risk to public health.

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 Scott Bird, WDFW Rules Coordinator, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2403, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by November 20, 2016. Expected proposal filing on or after December 1, 2016.

October 3, 2016

Scott Bird

Rules Coordinator