[Order 18-333—Filed December 14, 2018, 3:44 p.m., effective December 14, 2018, 3:44 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: Amends recreational harvest rules for razor clams.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-16000V; and amending WAC 220-330-160.

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: This emergency rule is needed to open the recreational razor clam season. Survey results show that adequate clams are available for harvest in Razor Clam Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5 for recreational harvest. Washington department of health has certified clams from this beach to be safe for human consumption. Razor clam beaches are closed by permanent rules unless opened by an emergency rule. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 14, 2018.

WAC 220-330-16000VRazor clams—Areas and seasons.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-160, it is unlawful to take, dig for or possess razor clams taken for personal use from any beaches in any razor clam area except as provided for in this section:

(1) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 22 2018 through 11:59 p.m. December 22, 2018, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 1. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. only.

(2) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 20, 2018 through 11:59 p.m. December 23, 2018, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 3. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day only.

(3) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 21, 2018 through 11:59 p.m. December 21, 2018 and 12:01 p.m. December 23, 2018 through 11:59 p.m. December 23, 2018 razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 4. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day only.

(4) Effective 12:01 p.m. December 20, 2018 through 11:59 p.m. December 20, 2018 and 12:01 p.m. December 22, 2018 through 11:59 p.m. December 22, 2018, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Area 5. Digging is permissible from 12:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day only.

(5) It is unlawful to dig for razor clams at any time in the Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis Beach Clam sanctuaries defined in WAC 220-320-130.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 12:01 a.m. December 24, 2018:

Razor clams—Areas and seasons.