[Order 19-308—Filed December 19, 2019, 1:36 p.m., effective December 19, 2019, 1:36 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: Amends recreational razor clam rules.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-16000L; and amending WAC 220-330-160.

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: This emergency rule is needed to open the recreational razor clam season. Survey results show that adequate clams are available for harvest in Razor Clam Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5 for recreational harvest. Washington department of health has certified clams from this beach to be safe for human consumption. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 19, 2019.

WAC 220-330-16000LRazor clams—Areas and seasons.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-160, it is unlawful to take, dig for or possess razor clams taken for personal use from any beaches in any razor clam area except as provided for in this section:

(1) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 23, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 23, 2019, and 12:01 p.m. December 26, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 29, 2019, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 1. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day only.

(2) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 23, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 23, 2019, and 12:01 p.m. December 26, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 29, 2019, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 2. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day only.

(3) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 26, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 26, 2019, and 12:01 p.m. December 28, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 28, 2019, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 4. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day only.

(4) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 23, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 23, 2019, and 12:01 p.m. December 27, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 27, 2019, and 12:01 p.m. December 29, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. December 29, 2019, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 5. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day only.

(5) It is unlawful to dig for razor clams at any time in the Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis Beach Clam sanctuaries defined in WAC 220-320-130.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 12:01 a.m., December 30, 2019:

Razor clams—Areas and seasons.