WSR 16-07-077
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 16-50—Filed March 17, 2016, 9:40 a.m., effective April 1, 2016]
Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2016.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for hardshell clams and oysters.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-56-350 and 220-56-380.
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: Surveys at Sequim Bay State Park indicate that the oyster and clam populations on this beach have increased, and the season can be extended to three months. Surveys at Potlatch DNR and Potlatch State Park indicated that oyster population can support a 3.5 month season; oyster seasons should coincide with clam seasons on those beaches. These emergency rules are interim until permanent rules take effect.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: March 17, 2016.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-56-35000G Clams other than razor clamsAreas and seasons.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-56-350, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to take, dig for and possess clams, cockles, and mussels taken for personal use from the following public tidelands except during the open periods specified herein:
(1) Potlatch State Park: April 1 through July 15 only.
(2) Potlatch DNR Tidelands: April 1 through July 15 only.
(3) Sequim Bay State Park: April 1 through June 30 only.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-56-38000L OystersAreas and seasons.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-56-380, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to take and possess oysters taken for personal use from the following public tidelands, except during the open periods specified herein:
(1) Potlatch State Park: April 1 through July 15 only.
(2) Potlatch DNR Tidelands: April 1 through July 15 only.
(3) Sequim Bay State Park: April 1 through June 30 only.