WSR 18-02-041

EMERGENCY RULES

[Order 17-344—Filed December 22, 2017, 3:55 p.m., effective January 1, 2018]

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2018.

Purpose: Amends fishing rules for recreational coastal marine and freshwater areas.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-020 and 220-313-070.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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: Inseason run-size assessment using spawning ground survey data as well as hatchery rack return information has downgraded the run-size of coho in Willapa Bay, for both natural and hatchery-origin coho to below the escapement goals. This inseason modification is needed to optimize both wild and hatchery broodstock escapements. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 22, 2017.

Joe Stohr

for J. W. Unsworth

Director