WSR 15-24-038 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-430—Filed November 20, 2015, 4:26 p.m., effective November 20, 2015, 4:26 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Reduce the risk of disease for the deer, elk, and moose populations in Washington state. These natural resources are incredibly important to the citizens of Washington.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-12-021.
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: On May 26, 2015, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that they had detected chronic wasting disease for the first time in wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer. To date, Washington has not detected chronic wasting disease in its deer, elk, or moose populations. If exposed to chronic wasting disease the deer, elk, and moose populations will be negatively impacted which will negatively impact hunting, wildlife viewing, and the overall state's economy. The current rule reduces this risk for Washington by requiring additional processing of harvested animals before bringing them home from states that have the disease in wild populations. Adding Michigan to the rule will further reduce the risk. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules. The department plans to engage in permanent rule making with a public hearing anticipated in March 2016.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0 [1], Amended 1 [0], Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 20, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-12-02100F Importation and retention of dead nonresident wildlife.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-12-021, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to import or possess deer, elk, or moose, or parts thereof, harvested in Michigan with the following exceptions:
(1) Meat that has been deboned in the state or province where it was harvested and is imported as boned-out meat;
(2) Skulls and antlers, antlers attached to the skull plate, or upper canine teeth (buglers, whistlers, ivories) from which all soft tissue has been removed;
(3) Hides or capes without heads attached;
(4) Tissue imported for use by a diagnostic or research laboratory; and
(5) Finished taxidermy mounts.
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