WSR 20-08-108
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-51—Filed March 31, 2020, 9:07 a.m., effective March 31, 2020, 9:07 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) is delaying the opening of the spring bear hunts scheduled to open on April 1, 2020, until further notice. We will reassess to determine when the spring bear hunt can open. The next assessment will occur on April 6.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-415-080.
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: WDFW is delaying the spring bear hunt as part of an effort to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. This decision is necessary to comply with Governor Inslee's recent statewide proclamation for all Washingtonians to stay home for the next two weeks.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: March 31, 2020.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-415-08000A2020 Spring black bear special permits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-415-080, effective immediately, until further notice, the hunt areas, permit levels, and season dates for each license year shall be as follows:
Hunt Areas, Permit Levels, and Season Dates for Each License Year:
Hunt Name | Hunt Area | Permits | Season Dates |
Sherman | GMU 101 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 50 | Delayed until further notice |
Kelly Hill | GMU 105 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 50 |
Douglas | GMU 108 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 40 |
Aladdin | GMU 111 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 50 |
49 Degrees North | GMU 117 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 100 |
Huckleberry | GMU 121 | 100 |
Blue Creek | GMU 154 | 18 | April 15 - June 15 |
Dayton | GMU 162 | 18 | April 15 - June 15 |
Tucannon | GMU 166 | 5 | April 15 - June 15 |
Wenaha | GMU 169 | 60 | April 15 - June 15 |
Mt. View | GMU 172 | 24 | April 15 - June 15 |
Lick Creek | GMU 175 | 18 | April 15 - June 15 |
Peola | GMU 178 | 5 | April 15 - June 15 |
Couse | GMU 181 | 5 | April 15 - June 15 |
Grande Ronde | GMU 186 | 5 | April 15 - June 15 |
Kitsap | GMU 627 | 5 | April 15 - May 31 |
Mason | GMU 633 | 5 | April 15 - May 31 |
Bear River | GMU 681 | 20 | April 15 - May 31 |
Long Beach | GMU 684 | 12 | April 15 - May 31 |
North Skagit | That portion of GMU 418 that is designated as the hunt area by DNR, Sierra Pacific, Weyerhaeuser-Columbia Timber Lands, and Grandy Lake Timber company. Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 30 | April 15 - June 15 |
Copalis | GMU 642, 648, and 638 (excluding U.S. Forest Service lands). | 50 | April 15 - June 15 |