WSR 15-01-183

EMERGENCY RULES

[Order 14-349—Filed December 23, 2014, 3:36 p.m., effective January 2, 2015]

Effective Date of Rule: January 2, 2015.

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

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-297.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, and 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: This change closes specific cougar hunt 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. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 23, 2014.

Philip Anderson

Director