OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on rule making proposals designed to update and clarify rules about regulating wildlife that could harm Washington’s native wildlife populations. The rule proposals focus especially on managing captive non-native deer species (such as fallow deer or reindeer) in Washington that could potentially spread chronic wasting disease (CWD).
WDFW has initiated this rule making to proactively address a potential avenue for CWD spread in Washington. Proposed updates to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) would clarify regulatory requirements for individuals that possess, sell, import, propagate, transfer, or maintain captive cervids (deer, elk, moose, and related species) that can potentially spread CWD. The rule making also proposes a new CWD testing requirement for captive cervids in Washington. More information about the proposed rules is available on WDFW’s rule making webpage.
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A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) determination has also been issued for this rule making proposal. SEPA documents related to this proposal can be reviewed at the WDFW SEPA website.
The public comment periods for this rule making and the associated SEPA determination are open through Aug. 7. The public may submit comments about the rule making online, via email, by phone (1-588-925-2801, project code 10063), or by mailing WDFW Wildlife Program, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504. Comments specific to the SEPA determination can be submitted online or via email.
WDFW will also hold a virtual public hearing for this rule making on Thursday, Aug. 6. Participants must register for the online Zoom meeting in advance. For more information about the public hearing and to sign up to comment, visit the public hearing webpage.
All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an always-fatal disease of cervids first detected in Washington in 2024. WDFW is working proactively to slow the spread of this disease, which has been confirmed in Spokane and Pend Oreille counties.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
