WSR 13-05-018

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 13-31 -- Filed February 8, 2013, 4:04 p.m. , effective February 13, 2013 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: February 13, 2013.

     Purpose: To amend cougar hunting rules described in WAC 232-28-297.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-29700D; and amending WAC 232-28-297.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.150.

     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: To correct an error that establishes contradictory rules governing areas open for hunting cougar. The seasons for cougar hunting have started, so there is no time for standard rule-making timeframes; and this correction will help hunters avoid hunting illegally.

     This change also closes specific cougar hunting areas that have met or exceeded the area harvest guideline. Immediate action is necessary to protect cougars from overharvest in hunt areas that have met or exceeded the area harvest guideline.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 13 [8], 2013.

Philip Anderson

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-29700E   2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-297, effective immediately until further notice:

     General cougar seasons are closed in Game Management Units (GMUs) 105, 108, 111, 117, 121, 145, 149, 154, 157, 162, 163, 166, 175, 178, 242, 243, 328, 329, 335, 382, 388, 522, 642, 648, and 651.

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REPEALER


     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective February 13, 2013:


WAC 232-28-29700D 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.