WSR 15-06-001 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-29—Filed February 18, 2015, 12:42 p.m., effective February 23, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: February 23, 2015.
Purpose: Amends cougar hunting rules described in WAC 232-28-297.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-29700Q; and 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 18, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-29700R 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-297, effective February 23, 2015, until further notice:
General cougar seasons in Game Management Units (GMUs) 105, 108, 101, 111, 113, 117, 121, 145, 166, 175, 178, 503, 505, 520, 550, 574, 578 and 667 are closed.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed as of February 23, 2015.
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