Proposed WAC Chapter 232 Revision:
Public Conduct in Wildlife Areas & Access Sites Owned or Controlled
by the Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing rules of public conduct on WDFW wildlife areas and water access sites to protect fish and wildlife resources and ensure public safety through establishment of a new chapter (13) in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 232.

The rules address aircraft use, proper behavior and conduct, camping, commercial use or activities, dumping and sanitation, erecting structures, fires and campfires, firearms and target practice, fireworks, livestock, noncommercial use or activities, parking, pets, resource removal, and vehicle use. It also establishes the authority to regulate public use, clarifies enforcement authority, and establishes violations of this chapter as misdemeanors. The rules were initially developed over several years of work with WDFW’s statewide Land Management Advisory Council and individual wildlife area citizen advisory groups to address changes in type and volume of use of wildlife properties.

The proposed rules were then amended to reflect public comments received in Spring 2007, Commission review in June and August 2007 and SEPA review in September 2007. The Commission again reviewed the proposed rules at its Oct. 12-13 meeting in Olympia, but deferred taking action until its public meeting Dec. 7-8 in Port Angeles.