See below for rules adopted in 2017 by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission or the Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The public comment period has ended for all rules listed below.
For information about WDFW's in-process rule filings including opportunities to provide comments, visit the Current rule-making activity page. For permanent rules adopted 2019-2014, choose a year: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.
Refer to the Rule-making glossary for more information about the terms used here.
September - October 2017
- Passage of House Bill 1597 and Senate Bill 5306 during the 2017 legislative session
- Species Listing Changes for Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Yellow Billed Cuckoo
- 2017 North of Falcon Rulemaking - Recreational Salmon Fishery - Ocean and Coastal Saltwater
- 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Coastal Commercial Salmon Fisheries - Grays Harbor
- 2017 North of Falcon Rulemaking - Recreational Salmon Fishery - Coastal Freshwater
July - August 2017
- Commercial and charter vessels logbooks and corrections to Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) provisions
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- 2017 Recreational Clam and Oyster Seasons
- Dungeness Crab Rules
- 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Fishery
- Spring Bear, Hoof Disease, and Auction and Raffle Regulations
- Bottomfish and Halibut rules - Expedited rulemaking
- 2017 North of Falcon Rulemaking - Recreational Salmon Fishery - Columbia River - Freshwater
- 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Coastal Commercial Salmon Fisheries - Willapa Bay
May - June 2017
January - February 2017
- Merging of Titles 220 and 232
- Amendments to Fish Receiving Ticket Rules
- Species Listing Changes for Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, White Pelican, Lynx and Marbled Murrelet
- Passage of House Bill 1597 and Senate Bill 5306 during the 2017 legislative session
HB 1597 introduces new commercial fish license terms that are not currently defined elsewhere in the Fish and Wildlife Code. Because of the passage of both HB 1597 and SB 5306, the department must create a new rule, repeal and amend existing rules.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-15-078 on July 14, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-18-090 on September 5, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-22-100 on October 30, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Passage of House Bill 1597 and Senate Bill 5306 (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-15-078 on July 14, 2017 (PDF)
- Species Listing Changes for Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Yellow Billed Cuckoo
The Department is considering classification adjustments for Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Yellow Billed Cuckoo.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-13-044 on June 8, 2016 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-13-131 on June 21, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-20-030 on September 27, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Yellow-billed Cuckoo (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-13-044 on June 8, 2016 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rulemaking - Recreational Salmon Fishery - Ocean and Coastal Saltwater
The Department is considering changes to recreational salmon fishing rules resulting from stakeholder recommendations made during North of Falcon meetings. Recreational salmon fishing rules based on North of Falcon recommendations change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to recreational salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-042 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-11-108 on May 22, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - SUPPLEMENTAL CR-102 - filed as WSR 17-15-063 on July 13, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-19-009 on September 7, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2017 Ocean and Coastal Saltwater Recreational Salmon Regulations (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-042 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rulemaking - Recreational Salmon Fishery - Coastal Freshwater
Coastal Freshwater. Recreational salmon fishing rules based on North of Falcon recommendations change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to recreational salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-041 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-11-109 on May 22, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - SUPPLEMENTAL CR-102 - filed as WSR 17-15-062 on July 13, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-19-008 on September 7, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2017 Coastal Freshwater Recreational Salmon Regulations (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-041 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Coastal Commercial Salmon Fisheries - Grays Harbor
The Department is considering changes to WDFW's coastal commercial salmon fishing rules, resulting from North of Falcon recommendations. Coastal commercial salmon fishing rules are based on North of Falcon recommendations that change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to coastal commercial salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-02-079 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-11-072 on May 17, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - SUPPLEMENTAL CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-15-065 on July 13, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-19-007 on September 7, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Grays Harbor Commercial Salmon Regulations for 2017 (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-02-079 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
- Commercial and charter vessels logbooks and corrections to Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) provisions
The purpose of the rule changes is to amend incorrect references to Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) provisions in several fish regulations and to create a new regulation that addresses the federal requirement for commercial and charter vessels to maintain a logbook for highly migratory fish species.
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 17-13-084 on June 17, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current expedited rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-18-037 on August 29, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - CR-103– filed as WSR 18-17-071 on August 10, 2018 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Commercial and charter vessels logbooks and corrections to Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) provisions (PDF)
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 17-13-084 on June 17, 2017 (PDF)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
It is necessary to make changes to language related to people with disabilities in order to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Moving WAC sections is required to better streamline and clarify ADA rules for the public.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-09-096 on April 19, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-13-077 on June 16, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-17-109 on August 21, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Amending ADA Rules (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-09-096 on April 19, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 Recreational Clam and Oyster Seasons
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.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-20-106 on October 5, 2016 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-12-008 on May 25, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-18-004 on August 24, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Recreational Clam and Oyster Season Changes (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-20-106 on October 5, 2016 (PDF)
- Dungeness Crab Rules
Rule changes relative to the coastal buoy tag program are needed to streamline the program; clarification of rules relative to the transport of coastal Dungeness crab gear from another state are needed to improve efficiency for stakeholders and regulatory enforceability for WDFW; rule changes are needed to consider a broader application of the electronic fish ticket program.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-10-071 on May 3, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-13-074 on June 16, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-17-104 on August 18, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Amending Coastal Dungeness Crab Rules (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-10-071 on May 3, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Fishery
The Department is considering Changes to Puget Sound commercial salmon fishing rules, resulting from North of Falcon recommendations. Puget Sound commercial salmon fishing rules are based on North of Falcon recommendations that change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Rule amendments to Puget Sound commercial salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-076 on January 11, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-06-077 on March 1, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - SUPPLEMENTAL CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-13-075 on June 16, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-17-100 on August 18, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Regulations for 2017 (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-076 on January 11, 2017 (PDF)
- Spring Bear, Hoof Disease, and Auction and Raffle Regulations
The Department is considering rule changes concerning spring bear seasons, hoof disease, and auctions and raffles.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-10-070 on May 3, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-13-132 on June 21, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-17-088 on August 17, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Spring Bear, Hoof Disease, and Auction and Raffle Regulations (PDF)
- CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-19-088 on September 19, 2017 (Spring Bear) (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: WAC 220-415-080 2018 Spring black bear seasons and regulations. (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-10-070 on May 3, 2017 (PDF)
- Bottomfish and Halibut rules - Expedited rulemaking
The purpose of this rule change is to adopt Washington Administrative Code for coastal recreational bottomfish and halibut fisheries that are consistent with regulations adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). This rule change conforms to regulations adopted by the PFMC and implemented into federal regulation by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 17-12-102 on June 6, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current expedited rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-17-045 on August 10, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Amending Recreational Bottomfish and Halibut Rules (PDF)
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 17-12-102 on June 6, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rulemaking - Recreational Salmon Fishery - Columbia River - Freshwater
Recreational Columbia River salmon fishing rules based on North of Falcon recommendations change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to recreational salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-042 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-13-110 on June 20, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-17-029 on August 8, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2017 Columbia River Recreational Salmon Regulations (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-042 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Coastal Commercial Salmon Fisheries - Willapa Bay
The Department is considering changes to WDFW's coastal commercial salmon fishing rules, resulting from North of Falcon recommendations. Coastal commercial salmon fishing rules are based on North of Falcon recommendations that change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to coastal commercial salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-02-079 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-11-129 on May 23, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Coastal Commercial Salmon Fisheries - Willapa Bay (PDF)
- CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-17-012 on August 4, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Coastal Commercial Salmon Fisheries - Willapa Bay (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-02-079 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rules - Coastal Commercial Salmon Fisheries - Grays Harbor
The Department is considering changes to WDFW's coastal commercial salmon fishing rules, resulting from North of Falcon recommendations. Coastal commercial salmon fishing rules are based on North of Falcon recommendations that change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to coastal commercial salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-02-079 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-11-072 on May 17, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - SUPPLEMENTAL CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-15-065 on July 13, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-19-007 on September 7, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Grays Harbor Commercial Salmon Regulations for 2017 (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-02-079 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017 North of Falcon Rulemaking - Recreational Salmon Fishery - Puget Sound Freshwater and Saltwater
The Department is considering changes to recreational salmon fishing rules resulting from stakeholder recommendations made during North of Falcon meetings. Recreational salmon fishing rules based on North of Falcon recommendations change from year to year to reflect resource availability and to achieve conservation goals. Amendments to recreational salmon fishing rules are needed to implement the agreed-upon changes
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-042 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-11-122 on May 23, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-16-109 on July 28, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: North of Falcon - Puget Sound recreational (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 17-03-042 on January 7, 2017 (PDF)
- Merging of Titles 220 and 232 – Expedited rulemaking
This set of rule changes is the last phase of the agency's WAC Recodification project which took place earlier this year. The Recodification project involved consolidation of WAC titles 220 and 232 into Title 220 and making technical changes to WAC sections that included the correction of internally inconsistent WAC references and misspellings and the removal of invalid RCW references and defunct agency names.
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 17-08-100 on April 5, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current expedited rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-12-105 on June 6, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 17-08-100 on April 5, 2017 (PDF)
- 2017-2018 Hunting Regulations
The Department is considering rule changes for the following topics: Hunting regulations, seasons, permits and area descriptions for big game, small game, and migratory birds; big game and wild turkey auctions, raffle, and permits; importation and retention of dead nonresident wildlife; mandatory hunter reporting; landowner hunting permits; special closures and firearm restriction areas; and other related rule changes as needed.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-24-010 on November 28, 2016 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-04-103 on February 1, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-10-076 on May 3, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2017-2018 Hunting Regulations (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-24-010 on November 28, 2016 (PDF)
- Merging of Titles 220 and 232
The department seeks to merge Titles 220 and 232 WAC to better organize and streamline existing fish and wildlife regulations. Currently, many of the provisions in chapters in Titles 220 and 232 WAC are poorly placed and under headings that they are not related to causing confusion to the public and to department staff. In addition, the WAC chapter headings need to be changed to better reflect the subject matter of the chapter. This rulemaking will make the following changes: (1) merge Titles 232 and 220 WAC, (2) correct internally inconsistent WAC references in existing chapters caused by the recodification and (3) remove references to now defunct state agencies in existing chapters in Titles 220 and 232 WAC.
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-22-082 on November 2, 2016 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 – filed as WSR 17-02-088 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-05-112 on February 15, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See Also: Recodification Outline of WAC Titles 220 & 232 (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-22-082 on November 2, 2016 (PDF)
- Amendments to Fish Receiving Ticket Rules
Removing duplicative reporting requirements for federal commercial groundfish fisheries, with proposed changes to: WAC 220-69-210, Fish receiving ticket definitions; WAC 220-69-240, Duties of commercial purchasers and receivers; WAC 220-69-246, Description of Washington state electronic fish receiving ticket; WAC 220-69-250, Required information on non-treaty fish receiving tickets; and WAC 220-69-274, Signatures.
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 16-22-097 on November 2, 2016 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current expedited rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-03-006 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Requirement of electronic fish tickets for all directed commercial groundfish landings (PDF)
- CR-105 – filed as WSR 16-22-097 on November 2, 2016 (PDF)
- Species Listing Changes for Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, White Pelican, Lynx and Marbled Murrelet
The proposal will remove bald eagle and peregrine falcon from the state’s sensitive species subcategory (WAC 232-12-011). However, as non-game birds the bald eagle and peregrine falcon shall remain protected species under WAC 232-12-011. These species will also continue to be protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the bald eagle is also protected under the federal Golden and Bald Eagle Act. The proposal will reclassify American white pelican from state endangered (WAC 232-12-014) to the state’s threatened species subcategory (WAC 232-12-011). In addition, the proposal will reclassify the North American (Canada) lynx and marbled murrelet from the state’s threatened species subcategory (WAC 232-12-011) to state endangered (WAC 232-12-014).
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-02-115 on January 6, 2016 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-13-044 on June 6, 2016 (PDF)
Invitation to discuss rules on this subject - CR-102 - filed as WSR 16-19-068 on September 19, 2016 (PDF)
Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal - CR-103 – filed as WSR 17-02-084 on January 4, 2017 (PDF)
Notice of rule changes as adopted - See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Periodic Status Reviews (PDF)
- CR-101 - filed as WSR 16-02-115 on January 6, 2016 (PDF)