WSR 15-20-007
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 15-356—Filed September 23, 2015, 4:00 p.m., effective September 23, 2015, 4:00 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend authorized work times for suction dredging in the gold and fish rules for mineral prospecting and placer mining.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-660-30000G; and amending WAC 220-660-300.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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: This emergency rule filing removes certain closures of streams in western Washington due to relief of drought conditions.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 23, 2015.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-660-30000H Mineral prospecting
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-660-300, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
Chelan County
Wenatchee River from mouth to the Icicle River Road Bridge: Closed to suction dredging.
Icicle River from the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam: Closed to suction dredging.
Peshastin Creek and all tributaries: Closed daily to suction dredging from 2 PM to one-half hour after official sunset.
Grays Harbor County
Black River (Grays Harbor and Thurston Counties) from the mouth upstream to Black Lake: Closed to suction dredging.
King County
Raging River from the mouth upstream: Closed to suction dredging.
Lewis County
Newaukum River and all tributaries: Closed to suction dredging.
Okanogan County
Okanogan River from the Hwy 97 Bridge immediately upstream of the mouth to Zosel Dam: Closed to suction dredging.
Similkameen River from the mouth upstream to Enloe Dam: Closed to suction dredging.
Snohomish County
Wallace River from the mouth upstream including all tributaries: Closed to suction dredging.
Stevens County
Colville River and all tributaries from mouth to headwaters: Closed daily to suction dredging from 2 PM to one-half hour after official sunset.
Thurston County
Black River (Grays Harbor and Thurston Counties) from the mouth upstream to Black Lake: Closed to suction dredging.
Whatcom County
South Fork Nooksack River from the mouth to Skookum Creek: Closed to suction dredging through September 30, 2015.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-660-30000G
Mineral prospecting. (15-352)