WSR 15-15-118
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 15-212—Filed July 16, 2015, 2:33 p.m., effective July 16, 2015, 2:33 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules for sea urchins.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-52-073.
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: Harvestable surpluses of green sea urchins exist in the districts specified to allow for commercial harvest. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 16, 2015.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-07300R Sea urchins
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-073, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to take or possess sea urchins taken for commercial purposes except as provided for in this section:
(1) The following areas are open to green sea urchin harvest seven days-per-week: district 1 and district 2.
(2) It is unlawful to harvest green sea urchins smaller than 2.25 inches (size is largest test diameter exclusive of spines).