WSR 26-09-050
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-51—Filed April 9, 2026, 5:53 p.m., effective April 17, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: April 17, 2026.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open razor clam harvest in Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-16000X; and amending WAC 220-330-160.
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: Survey results show that adequate clams are available in Razor Clam Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5 for recreational harvest. Washington department of health has certified clams from these Razor Clam Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5 to be safe for human consumption. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 9, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-16000XRazor 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 April 17 through April 23, 2026, razor clam digging is permissible in Razor Clam Areas defined in WAC 220-330-160 on dates and times listed below:
| Razor Clam Area | Date | Time | |
| Area 1 | April 17 through April 21 | From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. | |
| Area 2 | Closed | Closed | |
| Area 3 | April 17 through April 21 | From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. | |
| Area 4 | April 19 and 20 | From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. | |
| Area 5 | April 17, 18 and 21 | From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. | |
| Area 6 | Closed | Closed | |
| Razor Clam Area | Date | Time | |
| Area 1 | April 22 and 23 | From 12:01 a.m. to 1:59 p.m. | |
| Area 2 | Closed | Closed | |
| Area 3 | April 22 and 23 | From 12:01 a.m. to 1:59 p.m. | |
| Area 4 | April 23 | From 12:01 a.m. to 1:59 p.m. | |
| Area 5 | April 22 | From 12:01 a.m. to 1:59 p.m. | |
| Area 6 | Closed | Closed | |
(2) It is unlawful to dig for razor clams at any time in the Long Beach and Copalis Beach Clam sanctuaries defined in WAC 220-320-130.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective April 24, 2026:
WAC 220-330-16000X | Razor clams—Areas and season. |
Reviser's note: The spelling error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.