WSR 24-24-037

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 24-271—Filed November 25, 2024, 12:49 a.m., effective November 25, 2024, 12:49 a.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to repeal the emergency rule that closed fox trapping within the exterior boundaries of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National forests to prevent accidental take of state endangered Cascade red fox.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-417-010.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 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 emergency rule was previously filed on October 14, 2024, under WSR 24-21-070, because it was necessary to protect the Cascade red fox population. This species is listed as an endangered species in Washington state. Since the filing of the emergency rule, the department of fish and wildlife has adopted a permanent rule under WSR 24-21-127 on October 22, 2024, that became effective today, November 22, 2024. Consequently, there is no need for the emergency rule to any longer be in place.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 22, 2024.

Kelly Susewind

Director

The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately: