WSR 25-01-097
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-283—Filed December 13, 2024, 2:56 p.m., effective December 16, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: December 16, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule will limit where commercially harvested Dungeness crab may be landed.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-420.
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 rule is necessary to limit where commercial Dungeness crab may be landed in Washington. Limiting landings from Oregon into ports in southern Washington provides access to landing areas in Washington in a manner that minimizes enforcement concerns with transiting Dungeness crab through areas that are closed to commercial harvest in Washington. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 13, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-42000ACommercial crab fishery—Unlawful acts.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-340-420, effective December 16, 2024, until further notice:
(1) Vessels that participate in the Dungeness crab fishery south of Cape Falcon (45°46.00 N. Lat.) may not deliver crab north of the Columbia River except into the ports of Ilwaco and Chinook until further notice. Such vessels must adhere to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife closed area transit allowance requirements.
(2) All other provisions of WAC 220-340-420 remain in effect.