Jared Gendron / The News Tribune (TNS)
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has amended existing rules and clarified others regarding special use permits. The new guidelines are intended to broaden accessibility for Washington state residents, including those with disabilities, and increase the efficiency of the application process.
The department stated in a news release on June 16 that they want to make the process for disability accommodations for WDFW services and activities easier.
"We are excited to reduce barriers that may impede participation by people with disabilities by streamlining the administrative processes associated with these common requests," stated Larry Delgado, the department's DEI manager, in the release.
The department offers special use permits as a way to give residents with disabilities greater access to wildlife-related activities and recreation options.
The department also outlined which specific rules are being amended and why:
- Definition: The department addresses how it defines "a person with a disability." The new definition reorganizes portions of the older one to provide clarity around existing formatting errors.
- Special use permit: WDFW established new standard terms and conditions that apply to special use permits. The changes are meant to ensure the permits are used properly and that WDFW enforces the rules properly.
- Permit appeals: The department altered how it's managing permits, including the options to modify or revoke them if necessary. Permit holders may also appeal these decisions within a certain period of time.
- Disability designation: The department can now suspend a person's disability designation application if it finds the applicant submitted fraudulent information. The applicant also has a right to appeal.
- Harvesting by a person with a disability: The term "spin-casting" was changed to a broader term, "alternate casting gear," to allow people with disabilities to use more types of casting equipment.
WDFW has also codified new guidelines that further provide options to people with disabilities. In particular, the department has established specific eligibility for these individuals for certain recreations:
- Crossbow special use permit: The rule includes terms and conditions for crossbow use with a special use permit.
- Scope special use permit: In the past, the department has informally allowed people who are blind or visually impaired to use a scope device during archery via agency guidance. The new rule codifies that process.
- Shooting from a vehicle: This rule sets criteria that disabled with a special use permit people must follow while operating a hunting device from a vehicle.
- Alternative casting gear special use permit: This rule sets requirements for a special use permit intended for people with permanent impairments who cannot use conventional fly-fishing gear.
- Accessibility special use permit: This rule outlines criteria the department will refer to for determining whether it can approve unique special permit requests.
