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 seeks to maintain a sustainable cougar hunting season. The rule proposal sets a “cap” on the number of cougars that may be harvested or otherwise taken per year per population management unit and sets the cougar hunting season to start on September 1 and end on March 31 each year. The rule proposal also eliminates the allowance for harvesting a second cougar within the same license year statewide.
The rule proposal allows the existing pilot Beaver Relocation Permit Program to continue and allows individuals to relocate wild American beaver 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 department is adding a new section to WAC chapter 220-500 to prevent resource damage to department-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
Establish logbook requirements for Columbia River commercial fishing downstream of Bonneville Dam.
The department is considering updates to beach designations (Oyster Drill Restricted Areas) according to shellfish pest status.
The agency is initiating rulemaking to explore modification of the Quick Reporting rules to require additional information for Puget Sound Commercial and Coastal Troll salmon fisheries.
The Department is considering rule changes Chapter 220-500 WAC which regulates the use of WDFW lands.
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 department is seeking to amend and clarify 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.
Because of passage of EHB 2957 in the 2018 legislative session, the department needs to amend regulations in WAC chapter 220-370 and make additional changes to these rules.