EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Date of Adoption: February 20, 2003.
Purpose: Amend personal use rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900J; and amending WAC 232-28-619.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 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: The preseason forecast for the Green River wild steelhead run is not large enough to allow any targeted fisheries. The wild fish escapement goal has not been reached the last three years and is showing a declining trend. Regulations have required the release of wild steelhead since December 1, 2002. In addition, the return of hatchery steelhead this season has been poor and few hatchery fish remain in the river. Therefore, closing the river February 28 will not significantly effect harvest opportunities for hatchery fish and will provide additional protection for the predicted low wild run. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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Repealed 0;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Repealed 0;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Repealed 0.
Effective Date of Rule:
March 1, 2003, 12:01 a.m.
February 20, 2003
J. P. Koenings
Director
by Larry Peck
[]
The following section of the Washington Administrative
Code is repealed effective 12:01 a.m. March 16, 2003:
| WAC 232-28-61900J | Exceptions to statewide rules -- Green (Duwamish) River (King Co.) |