WSR 15-19-062
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 15-331—Filed September 11, 2015, 4:00 p.m., effective September 11, 2015, 4:00 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for low water and elevated water temperatures.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19000E, 220-310-19000H, 220-310-19000J and 220-310-19000K; and amending WAC 220-310-190.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 77.12.047.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: Streams have returned to near normal seasonal temperatures. Previously these streams were closed or put under "hoot owl" restrictions due to exceptionally low seasonal flows and/or elevated water temperatures. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 4.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: September 11, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19000L Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-190, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) South Fork Nooksack (Whatcom Co.) From the mouth to Skookum Creek including tributaries are closed to all fishing.
(2) Raging River (King Co.) From the mouth upstream closed to all fishing.
(3) Wallace River (Snohomish Co.). From the mouth upstream including all tributaries closed to all fishing.
(4) Suiattle River (Skagit Co.) Tributaries Buck, Downey and Sulpher Creeks are closed to fishing.
Reviser's note: The spelling error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 220-310-19000E
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (15-276)
WAC 220-310-19000H
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (15-283)
WAC 220-310-19000J
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (15-306)
WAC 220-310-19000K
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (15-309)