WSR 20-16-111
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-149—Filed July 31, 2020, 1:29 p.m., effective August 3, 2020]
Effective Date of Rule: August 3, 2020.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to close sockeye retention seasons in Baker Lake, effective August 3, 2020.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000Q.
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 close sockeye retention seasons in Baker Lake. The recreational sockeye fishery in Baker Lake opened when the Washington department of fish and wildlife and treaty comanagers agreed to a limited Baker Lake sockeye fishery provided catch did not exceed a level where less than one thousand five hundred sockeye remained in the lake to spawn naturally. Based on total catch, the number of fish remaining in the lake is approaching the escapement floor of one thousand five hundred fish and trap returns have slowed. Current estimates show that the escapement floor will be met by the end of the day August 2. The fishery is being closed to ensure conservation objectives are met.
Immediate repeal of WSR 20-15-082 is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare. Observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 31, 2020.
Kelly Susewind
Director
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 3, 2020:
WAC 220-312-04000Q | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. |