WSR 97-15-117

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

(Fisheries)

[Order 97-125--Filed July 22, 1997, 4:31 p.m., effective July 23, 1997, 1:00 p.m.]

Date of Adoption: July 22, 1997.

Purpose: Commercial fishing regulations.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-52-07100B; and amending WAC 220-52-071.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 75.08.080.

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: Harvestable amounts of sea cucumbers are available for harvest in districts and areas listed. Titlow Beach Marine Preserve and Sund Rock Marine Preserve are closed to preserve the character of the marine preserves. Tatoosh Island closure is consistent with tribal agreements.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, amended 0, repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: July 23, 1997, 1:00 p.m.

July 22, 1997

Dirk Brazil

for Bern Shanks

Director

NEW SECTION

WAC 220-52-07100C Sea cucumbers. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-071, effective 1:00 p.m. July 23, 1997, until further notice, it is unlawful for non-treaty sea cucumber harvesters to take or possess sea cucumbers taken for commercial purposes except as provided for in this section:

(1) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Sea Cucumber District 1 (Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, and 23B), Sea Cucumber District 2 (Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas 23A, 23C, 23D, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E, 29 and those waters west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line, Pacific Ocean waters, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and the waters at the mouth of the Columbia River west of the Buoy 10 Line), and Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas, 26D, 27A, 27B, 27C, and all Washington waters of the Pacific Ocean Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week from 6:00 a.m. to one-half hour before official sunset of each day, except for closures as provided for in this section.

(2) The following waters are closed to the harvest of sea cucumbers at all times:

(a) Those waters closed under WAC 220-52-071.

(b) Titlow Beach Marine Preserve - All waters due west from the southern end of the Tacoma Outboard Association building near the boat launch ramp to the outer harbor line, then south following the outer harbor line to a line due west from the old ferry landing dock at the 6th Ave. extension then following the line to the high water line then to the point of origin.

(c) Tatoosh Island - Those waters within one-quarter mile of Tatoosh Island.

(d) Sund Rock Marine Preserve - Waters within 100 yards of the salmon net pens near Sund Rock in Hood Canal.

(e) Edmonds Underwater Park - Those tidelands and waters bounded by the mean high tide line then along the projected line of Main St. west to the outer harbor line, then 250 feet north following the outer harbor line, then back to shore, then to the point of origin.

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REPEALER

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 1:00 p.m. July 23, 1997: