Periodic status review - White-tailed Deer and red fox

Rule-making status: Permanent
Rule-making reference: #P2022-13

Summary of proposed rule

The Department adopted amendments reclassifying the Columbian white-tailed deer from endangered to threatened and listing the Cascade Red Fox as endangered.

Scope and rationale for proposed rule

On September 22, 2022, the department staff presented the Cascade red fox and the commission voted to classify the Cascade red fox as an endangered species following an initial staff recommendation as threatened. The rule making steps were not sufficiently taken to make the change to endangered following a threatened recommendation. In order to align the Endangered Wildlife WAC with this decision, staff asked the commission to reaffirm Cascade red fox as an endangered species on January 26, 2023.

Public comments

The comment period closed on January 24, 2023.

To view comments submitted on this rule making, please visit the White Tailed Deer and Red Fox public engagement portal.

Public hearing

The public hearing was rescheduled to occur during the January 27-28, 2023 Commission meeting.
View the recording on TVW

Date of Adoption: January 27, 2023

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

A SEPA Determination was issued for the Columbian white-tailed deer on November 2, 2022. Click here to view the white tailed deer SEPA Determination (PDF).

A SEPA Determination was issued for the Cascade red fox on May 18, 2022. Click here to view the red fox SEPA Determination (PDF).

For more information, visit our SEPA documents available for public comment page.

For more information

Assistance for additional accessibility and persons with disabilities contact:
833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.