WSR 20-09-043
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-56—Filed April 8, 2020, 8:41 a.m., effective April 8, 2020, 8:41 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) is delaying the opening of the spring bear hunts scheduled to open on April 15, 2020, until further notice. We will reassess to determine when the spring bear hunt can open.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-415-080.
Other Authority: None.
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: WDFW is delaying the spring bear hunt as part of an effort to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. This decision is necessary to comply with Governor Inslee's recent statewide proclamation to extend "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" for all Washingtonians through May 4, 2020.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 8, 2020.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-415-08000B2020 Spring black bear special permits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-415-080, effective immediately, until further notice, the hunt areas, permit levels, and season dates for each license year shall be as follows:
Hunt Areas, Permit Levels, and Season Dates for Each License Year:
Hunt Name | Hunt Area | Permits | Season Dates |
Sherman | GMU 101 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 50 | |
Kelly Hill | GMU 105 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 50 | |
Douglas | GMU 108 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 40 | |
Aladdin | GMU 111 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 50 | |
49 Degrees North | GMU 117 Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 100 | |
Huckleberry | GMU 121 | 100 | |
Blue Creek | GMU 154 | 18 | |
Dayton | GMU 162 | 18 | |
Tucannon | GMU 166 | 5 | |
Wenaha | GMU 169 | 60 | |
Mt. View | GMU 172 | 24 | |
Lick Creek | GMU 175 | 18 | Delayed until further notice |
Peola | GMU 178 | 5 | |
Couse | GMU 181 | 5 | |
Grande Ronde | GMU 186 | 5 | |
Kitsap | GMU 627 | 5 | |
Mason | GMU 633 | 5 | |
Bear River | GMU 681 | 20 | |
Long Beach | GMU 684 | 12 | |
North Skagit | That portion of GMU 418 that is designated as the hunt area by DNR, Sierra Pacific, Weyerhaeuser-Columbia Timber Lands, and Grandy Lake Timber company. Note: Mandatory bear identification test required. | 30 | |
Copalis | GMU 642, 648, and 638 (excluding U.S. Forest Service lands). | 50 | |