WSR 20-20-032
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-209—Filed September 29, 2020, 4:28 p.m., effective October 1, 2020]
Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2020.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to open recreational winter crab seas in Marine Areas 4 East of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 12, beginning October 1 and through December 31, 2020.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-04000P; and amending WAC 220-330-040.
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 crab harvest in the marine areas listed. Preliminary summer harvest estimates indicate that these areas can open on October 1 and contribute to achieving 50/50 harvest goal with the treaty tribes. A further update of recreational harvest estimates is required to determine whether Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 can open for winter recreational harvest. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 29, 2020.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-04000PCrabAreas and seasons—Personal use.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-040, effective immediately through December 31, 2020, Puget Sound recreational crab seasons are as listed below. All other provisions of WAC 220-330-040 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
It is permissible to crab for personal use in the following Marine Areas: 4 East of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 12.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective January 1, 2021:
WAC 220-330-04000P
Crab—Areas and seasons—Personal use.