Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: To amend cougar hunting rules described in WAC 232-28-297.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-29700A; and amending WAC 232-28-297.

     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: To correct an error that establishes contradictory rules governing areas open for hunting cougar. The seasons for cougar hunting have started so there is not time for standard rule-making timeframes; and this correction will help hunters avoid hunting illegally.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: January 7, 2013.

Philip Anderson

Director

     General cougar seasons are closed in Game Management Units (GMUs) 157 and 522.

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     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

WAC 232-28-29700A

2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.