WSR 20-24-074
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-250—Filed November 24, 2020, 3:48 p.m., effective November 24, 2020, 3:48 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close recreational crab seasons in Marine Area 2 between a true west line from Point Chehalis and true west line from the Queets River, including the waters of Marine Area 2-2.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-330-040.
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 because test results from the Washington department of health show that crab tested in the area between the Point Chehalis and the Queets River are not safe for human consumption. Levels of domoic acid, detected through routine testing, have exceeded the federally established action level. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 24, 2020.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-04000TCrab—Areas and seasons
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-040 effective Immediately, until further notice, recreational crab seasons in waters of Marine Area 2 and 2-2 shall be modified as follows. All other provisions of WAC 220-330-040 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) Effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for Dungeness crab in waters of Marine Area 2 between a true west line from Point Chehalis (46°53.18) and true west line from the Queets River (47°31.70), including the waters of Marine Area 2-2 Grays Harbor.
(2) Effective immediately it is unlawful to set, maintain, operate, or possess in those waters listed in subsections (1) of this section, any baited or unbaited shellfish pots or ring nets for any reason.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW
34.08.040.