Permanent rules adopted in 2019

See below for rules adopted in 2019 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.

December

• Recreational license dealer's fees

November

• Spring black bear hunting seasons and regulations

October

• Amend regulations pertaining to aquatic invasive species in WAC chapter 220-640

September

• Hunter Pink
• Special Trapping Permits
• Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement
• Modifying existing recreational Fish Washington package and creating multiple recreational packages for the public
• The department seeks to establish new rules concerning the accounting of funds received from the sales of packaged recreational licenses

August

• Rulemaking is needed to correct the physical address of the Southwest Washington-Region 5 office
• Establishing logbook requirements for freshwater game fish guides, food fish guides and combination game fish and food fish guides

July

• Coastal recreational bottomfish and halibut fisheries
• 2019 North of Falcon—Coastal Commercial salmon Fisheries—Grays Harbor
• 2019 North of Falcon—Coastal Commercial salmon Fisheries—Willapa Bay
• 2019 North of Falcon Rules - Puget Sound Commercial Fishing
• 2019 North of Falcon Rules - Recreational Fishing
• Fall Black Bear hunting season and regulations

June

• Pinto Abalone
• Suction Dredge Mineral Prospecting

March- April, 2019

• 2019 Hunting Season Setting
• 2019 Recreational Clam and Oyster Seasons
• Wildlife in Captivity and Wildlife Rehabilitation

January - February, 2019

• Columbia River fisheries above the Bonneville Dam
• Sport Fishing Rule Simplification Clarification and Correction
• Recreational license dealer's fees 
  The department is considering adding a new line item to the dealer's fee table as it adds a new license package, also the department needs to remove a dealer fee as an existing endorsement is no longer available.  
   
  • CR-101 - filed as WSR 19-18-017 on August 27, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR 102 – filed as WSR 19-21-126 on October 18, 2019 (PDF)
  • Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 -  filed as WSR 20-01-124 on December 16, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Recreational license dealer fees (PDF)
     
• Spring black bear hunting seasons and regulations
  The department is considering rule changes for spring black bear hunting seasons and regulations.
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 19-13-096 on June 19, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR 102 – filed as WSR 19-18-050 on August 30, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 -  filed as WSR 19-22-061 on November 5, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Spring Black Bear Hunting Seasons and Regulations (PDF)
     
• Amend regulations pertaining to aquatic invasive species in WAC chapter 220-640.
  The department needs to clarify regulations for the public concerning the possession of aquatic invasive species and inspection of vessels and boating equipment to check for harmful aquatic invasive species under WAC chapter 220-640.
   
  • CR-101 - filed as WSR 19-06-001 on February 20, 2019  (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - (PDF) filed as WSR 19-14-125 on July 3, 2019  (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 -  filed as WSR 19-21-034 on October 8, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Aquatic Invasive Species (PDF)
     
• Hunter Pink
  The Department is amending existing rules affected by the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 5148 during the 2019 legislative session.
   
  • CR-101 - filed as WSR 19-11-131 on May 22, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 – filed as WSR 19-16-111 on August 5, 2019.  (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR 103 - filed as WSR 19-20-078 on September 27, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory State: Hunter Pink (PDF)
     
• Special Trapping Permits
  Department staff will brief the Commission on proposed amendments to existing WAC 220-417-040.
  House Bill 1917, as passed by the 2019 legislative session, amended RCW 77.15.194 to provide that an airport operator may obtain a special trapping permit once every three years, and must annually report the previous year's trapping activity to the department. This proposed rule change amends WAC 220-417-040 to reflect the same.
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 19-12-041 on May 29, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 – Filed as WSR 19-16-112 on August 5, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 - Filed as WSR 19-20-077 on September 27, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Airport Operators (PDF)
     
• Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement
  The department needs to change its rule concerning the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) to conform to state law 
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 19-11-128 on May 22, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - (PDF) filed as WSR 19-14-126 on July 3, 2019  (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • Withdrawal Notice - WAC 220-220-320 from WSR 19-14-126 - filed as WSR 19-17-012 on August 9, 2019 (PDF)
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-20-074 on September 27, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement end (PDF)
     
• Modifying existing recreational Fish Washington package and creating multiple recreational packages for the public
  The department is modifying one of its existing packages and creating new packages to improve convenience and ease of purchase for the public as well as to reduce overall purchasing costs. 
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 19-11-127 on May 22, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - filed as WSR 19-14-128 on July 3, 2019  (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-20-073 on September 27, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Get Outdoors (PDF)
     
• The department seeks to establish new rules concerning the accounting of funds received from the sales of packaged recreational licenses
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 19-09-081 on April 17, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - filed as WSR 19-14-127 on July 3, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-20-072 on September 27, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Discount Distribution (PDF)
     
• Rulemaking is needed to correct the physical address of the Southwest Washington-Region 5 office
  The Southwest Washington Region 5 recently moved locations from 2108 Grand Boulevard in Vancouver, Washington to 5525 South 11th Street in Ridgefield, Washington.
   
  • CR-105 – filed as WSR 19-05-071 on February 20, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current expedited rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 -  filed as WSR 19-17-016 on August 12, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted 
     
• Establishing logbook requirements for freshwater game fish guides, food fish guides and combination game fish and food fish guides
  To collect fishing effort, catch and harvest data from all freshwater fishing guides and their clients to understand the seasonal and geographic utilization of fishery resources by the guide industry statewide.
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 16-16-114 on August 2, 2016 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 (PDF) – filed as WSR 19-04-106 on February 6, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103-  filed as WSR 19-17-010 on August 9, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Establishing logbook requirements for guides (PDF)
     
• Coastal recreational bottomfish and halibut fisheries
  The purpose of this rule proposal is to amend rules affecting the coastal recreational bottomfish and halibut fisheries so that they are consistent with regulations adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. These changes are consistent with actions taken by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), which includes an extensive stakeholder process.
   
  • CR-105 - filed as WSR 19-10-072 on May 1, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current expedited rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-16-001 on July 24, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See Also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Coastal Recreational Bottomfish and Halibut Fisheries (PDF)
     
• 2019 North of Falcon—Coastal Commercial salmon Fisheries—Grays Harbor
   
  • Complete Rule-making File  (PDF)(All content up to August 28, 2019)
  • Rule-making file (PDF) (last updated June 19, 2019)
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-15-054 on July 12, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • Audio: June 25, 2019 Public Hearing
  • See Also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Coastal Commerical Salmon Fisheries - Grays Harbor (PDF)
     
• 2019 North of Falcon—Coastal Commercial salmon Fisheries—Willapa Bay
   
  • Complete Rule-making File (PDF) (All content up to September 5, 2019)
  • Rule-making File (PDF) (last updated June 19, 2019)
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-15-053 on July 12, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • Audio: June 25, 2019 Public Hearing
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Coastal Commercial Salmon fisheries-Willapa Bay (PDF)
     
• 2019 North of Falcon Rules - Puget Sound Commercial Fishing
  The department is considering amending current Puget Sound commercial fishing rules resulting from stakeholder recommendations made during North of Falcon meetings.
   
  • Complete Rule-making File (PDF) (All content as of August 28, 2019)
  • Rule-making File (PDF) (last updated June 19, 2019)
  • CR-103 filed as WSR 19-15-051 on July 12, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Regulations for 2019 (PDF)
  • Audio: June 25, 2019 Puget Sound Commercial and Sport Fisheries Public Hearing
     
• 2019 North of Falcon Rules - Recreational Fishing
  The department is considering amending current recreational fishing rules resulting from stakeholder recommendations made during North of Falcon meetings and to incorporate changes in the rules brought about from the department's Freshwater Recreational Rule Simplification Project.
   
  • Complete Rule-making File (PDF) (All content as of August 28, 2019)
  • Rule-making File (PDF) (last updated July 3, 2019)
  • CR-103 filed as WSR 19-15-050 on July 12, 2019  (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Recreational Salmon Regulations for 2019 (PDF)
  • Audio:
    • June 26, 2019 Coastal Freshwater Public Hearing
    • June 26, 2019 Coastal Marine Public Hearing
    • June 25, 2019 Puget Sound Commercial and Sport Fisheries Public Hearing
       
• Fall black bear hunting seasons and regulations
  The department is considering rule changes related to fall black bear 2019 regulations and seasons.
   
  • CR-101 - filed as WSR 19-06-080 on March 5, 2019 (PDF) 
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - filed as WSR 19-10-025 on April 23, 2019 (PDF) 
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 – filed as WSR 19-15-028 on July 10, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Fall black bear hunting seasons and regulations (PDF)
     
• Pinto Abalone
  The department is responsible for making recommendations regarding listing status of certain species, and if those species should be classified as sensitive, threatened, or endangered. To properly classify the status of the Pinto Abalone, the department will review all relevant data pertaining to the population status and factors affecting existence in Washington state. The initial review of the Pinto Abalone's status indicates that the species has declined significantly and multiple factors negatively affect its continued existence in Washington.
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 18-22-031 on October 29, 2018  (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - filed as WSR 19-05-092 on February 20, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-13-013 on June 7, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Pinto Abalone Listing as an Endangered Species in the State of Washington (PDF)
     
• Suction Dredge Mineral Prospecting
  The department is amending and creating new rules in WAC chapter 220-660 to require individual Hydraulic Project Approvals (HPAs) for all suction dredge mineral prospecting. The amended and new rules will permit motorized and non-motorized suction dredging activities in the state through individual HPAs.
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 18-11-037 on May 8, 2018 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - filed as WSR 19-05-094 on February 20, 2019  (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-12-126 on June 5, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2019 HPA Suction Dredge Rule Making (PDF)
     
• 2019 Hunting Season Setting
  The department is considering rule changes for 2019 hunting season settings.
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 18-23-030 on November 14, 2018  (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 – filed as WSR 19-03-129 on January 18, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • Withdrawal - Withdrawal notice for WAC 220-417-030 filed as WSR 19-03-129 on January 28, 2019 filed as WSR 19-10-012 on April 19, 2019 (PDF)
  • CR-103 – filed as WSR 19-10-011 on April 19,  2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2019 Hunting Season Setting (PDF)
     
• 2019 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 18-20-120 on October 3, 2018  (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 (PDF) – filed as WSR 19-05-051 on February 15, 2019 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-103 – filed as WSR 19-08-044 on March 29,  2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: 2019 Recreational Clam and Oyster Seasons  (PDF)
     
• Wildlife in Captivity and Wildlife Rehabilitation
  The department is considering rule changes for wildlife rehabilitation
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 17-22-058 on October 26, 2017 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 (PDF) – filed as WSR 18-24-091 on December 3, 2018 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-103 – filed as WSR 19-06-038 on March 1,  2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Wildlife in Captivity and Wildlife Rehabilitation (PDF)
     
• Columbia River fisheries above the Bonneville Dam 
  Parties have agreed through the U.S. v. Oregon Fish Management Process and the Regulatory Consistency Committee to amend inconsistent rules to ensure uniformity, to provide clarity, and to increase enforceability of regulations in waters of concurrent jurisdiction. Portions of Title 220 in the Washington Administrative Code require amendments to reflect changes already implemented by Oregon and tribal governments concerning this federal case.
   
  • CR-101 – filed as WSR 17-19-109 on September 20, 2017 (PDF)
    Invitation to discuss rules on this subject
  • CR-102 - filed as WSR 18-17-125 on August 17, 2018 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 - filed as WSR 19-06-018 on February 26, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Amending Columbia River Fishing Rules (PDF)
     
• Sport Fishing Rule Simplification Clarification and Correction
  Clarify commission adopted language to reflect intention of opening all rivers, streams, and beaver ponds to a standard season of Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31 unless provided for in WAC 220-312-010 through 220-312-060.
   
  • CR-105 – filed as WSR 18-21-120 on October 17, 2018 (PDF)
    Notice and opportunity to comment on this current expedited rule-making proposal
  • CR-103 – filed as WSR 19-03-003 on January 2, 2019 (PDF)
    Notice of rule changes as adopted
  • See also: Concise Explanatory Statement: Sport Fishing Rule Simplification Clarification and Correction (PDF)