We invite you to participate in our rule-making process. WDFW is actively considering the rule-making proceedings listed below. Chapter 220-111 WAC provides procedures for inspecting or requesting copies of rule-making files.
You will see rules in various stages of the rule-making process:
- “Pending rule making” means that we have filed proposed rules with the Washington State Legislature’s Code Reviser’s Office. These links will take you to the documents that include the information, timeline, and contact information for each.
- "Preproposals” means that we may develop and file proposed rules on these topics.
See the Rule-making glossary for more information about the terms used here.
Contact information
Agency rules coordinator
Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov
Pending rule making
The rule proposal removes the daily limit of yellow perch from Fish Lake in Chelan County. The rule proposal also increases fishing opportunity on Park, Blue, and Deep Lakes in Grant County by extending the recreational fishing season by one month each year.
The rule proposal raises the limit of maximum cash compensation that WDFW may pay to eligible farmers for a claim for commercial crop damage caused by deer and elk to $300,000 per fiscal year from the state general fund. The rule proposal also raises the maximum cash compensation WDFW may pay to eligible owners for a claim for commercial livestock or guard dog losses caused by cougar or wolves from $10,000 to $30,000 per claim. Further, the rule proposal specifies the method for prioritizing and paying damage claims.
The rule proposal allows the existing pilot Beaver Relocation Permit Program to continue and allows individuals to relocate wild American beaver that are in conflict with landowners as an additional alternative to lethal removal. The rule also establishes standards for humane treatment of temporarily captive beaver, selection of suitable release sites, and requirements for considering coexistence options before translocation.
The rule proposal closes trapping of all red fox within the exterior boundaries of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. Closing trapping in these areas will prevent accidental take of the Cascade red fox where their habitat range may overlap with the general lowland species of red fox.
The proposed rule will allow WDFW to cite individuals for creating roads, trails, and structures without approval. The rule will reduce the risk of these activities continuing to degrade sensitive natural and cultural resources on WDFW-managed lands.
The rule proposal establishes standards for director approval for fish passage and screening, ensuring that fish can freely migrate and move through and around obstructions and are not harmed by man-made transfers of water flow from a natural system. The rule proposal defines terms, identifies standards for evaluating inadequate fishways and water diversions, and outlines compliance requirements and agency enforcement options.
Preproposals
The department is seeking to amend rules in WAC chapter 220-440.
The rule proposal establishes logbook requirements for Columbia River commercial fishing downstream of Bonneville Dam.
The rule proposal updates beach designations (Oyster Drill Restricted Areas) according to shellfish pest status.
The rule proposal modifies the Quick Reporting rules to require additional information for Puget Sound Commercial and Coastal Troll salmon fisheries.
The rule proposal defines certain terms, clarifies existing definitions, and amends references to defined terms for consistency and clarity.
Amendments would be needed to set season dates and permit numbers in order to offer a 2023 spring black bear season. In addition to providing recreational hunting opportunity, a special permit season could assist the department with addressing specific management needs that include, but are not limited to, tree damage on industrial managed timberlands, human-bear conflict and damage, and harvest distribution.
The rule proposal amends and clarifies rules regarding the collection and retrieval of wildlife parts from public lands.
Currently, the department provides the public certain administrative hearing rights based on agency actions and decisions that are described in numerous rules scattered within WAC Title 220.
The rule proposal amends WDFW's nonnative marine finfish aquaculture rules.