Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Adopted Revisions to WAC 232
Chapter 13: Public Conduct in Wildlife Areas and Access Sites Owned or Controlled by the Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) developed a package of new rules for public conduct on WDFW wildlife areas and water- access sites to protect fish and wildlife resources and ensure public safety through establishment of a new chapter (13) in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 232. At its Dec. 7 meeting, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a number of the proposed rules and deferred action on three others.

New Rules for Public Conduct

WAC 232-13: Public Conduct in Wildlife Areas and Access Sites Owned or Controlled by Department of Fish and Wildlife was adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission on Dec. 7, 2007. These rules will go into effect by Jan. 31, 2008. At the same time, the Commission repealed WACs 232-12-184 and 232-12-187, which are addressed in the adopted language.

Unchanged Sections Still in Effect

• WAC 232-12-174
  Domestic animals on department lands.
  It is unlawful for any person to allow domesticated animals to be unattended on, or to permit livestock to graze upon land under the control of the department without a written permit from the director. In addition to other penalties provided by law, any such person may be liable to the department for a compensatory fee of one dollar per head of livestock per day.
• WAC 232-12-177
  Vehicles using department lands.
  It is unlawful to operate a motor driven vehicle on a road controlled or managed by the department pursuant to road management agreement in a manner or for a purpose contrary to posted signs or notices except as authorized by the director. Violation of this section is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
• WAC 232-12-251
  Removal of minerals, wood and artifacts from department lands.
  It is unlawful to remove petrified wood, minerals, fossils, wood products or artifacts from department lands unless such removal is authorized by a permit issued by the director.