WSR 24-21-027

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 24-224—Filed October 7, 2024, 11:53 a.m., effective October 9, 2024]

Effective Date of Rule: October 9, 2024.

Purpose: This emergency rule will allow specified purse seine vessels to conduct test fisheries in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 9, 10, and 11.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-120.

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 allow the purse seine vessels, the fishing vessels Harbor Gem, Lisa Marie, and Tradition, to conduct test fisheries in the waters of Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 9, 10, and 11. These test fisheries are necessary to collect GSI [GIS] data and to inform the in-season update models; they have been agreed to by comanagers. This information is necessary to sustainably manage Puget Sound chum fisheries. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 7, 2024.

Kelly Susewind

Director