WSR 21-20-078
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 21-213—Filed September 30, 2021, 10:30 a.m., effective October 1, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2021.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open recreational winter crab seasons in Puget Sound.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-04000C; and 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 opens recreational crab harvest in the marine areas listed. Preliminary summer harvest estimates indicate that these areas can open on October 1. Additional time is needed to determine whether Marine Areas 10 and 11 can offer winter opportunity.
The fishery will remain closed in Marine Area 12 south of a line projected due east from Ayock Point and Marine Area 13 for the remainder of 2021.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 30, 2021.
Nate Pamplin
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-04000CCrab—Areas and seasons—Personal use.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-040, effective 12:01 a.m. October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, 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, 8-1, 8-2, 9, and 12 north of a line projected due east from Ayock Point.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective January 1, 2022:
WAC 220-330-04000C | Crab—Areas and seasons—Personal use. |