WSR 98-23-014

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 98-227--Filed November 6, 1998, 1:10 p.m.]

Date of Adoption: November 5, 1998.

Purpose: To adopt WAC 232-28-42200A 1998-99 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations--Western Washington Goose Management Area 2 hunting days.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-422.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

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: WAC 232-28-422 established goose hunting days on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays for Western Washington Goose Management Area 2, and required hunters to report to mandatory check stations after harvesting geese. Hunting days were chosen to reduce goose damage to agricultural crops, while limiting expenditures for mandatory check stations within available budgets. On November 2, 1998, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) committed additional funding for mandatory check stations, to further reduce agricultural damage complaints. Funding available is sufficient to add two additional days per week, which were chosen on Mondays and Thursdays to align with mandatory check stations run by USFWS. Insufficient time necessary to file a permanent rule.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

November 5, 1998

Larry W. Peck

Acting Director

NEW SECTION

WAC 232-28-42200A  1998-99 Migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations--Western Washington Goose Management Area 2 hunting days. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-422, effective November 25 the goose season for Western Washington Goose Management Area 2 shall be Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from November 25, 1998 through January 17, 1999, except the season shall be closed on Thursday, November 26, 1998 and Thursday, December 24, 1998.

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