WSR 26-06-074

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 26-35—Filed February 27, 2026, 11:48 p.m., effective March 2, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: March 2, 2026.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close all commercial sea urchin harvest in Puget Sound.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-75000X.

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 closes commercial harvest of sea urchins in all areas, as the quota is expected to be reached March 1, 2026. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 27, 2026.

Amy H. Windrope

for Kelly Susewind

Director

The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective March 2, 2026: