WSR 15-01-068

EMERGENCY RULES

[Order 14-337—Filed December 11, 2014, 4:43 p.m., effective December 16, 2014]

Effective Date of Rule: December 16, 2014.

Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Nooksack River and Whatcom Creek.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-310-190.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 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: The Kendall Creek Hatchery and Whatcom Creek Hatchery programs in recent years have had difficulty securing sufficient eggs from returning hatchery winter steelhead to meet basin production goals. Closure of these fisheries is needed to collect sufficient fish to meet egg take needs. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 11, 2014.

Philip Anderson

Director