WSR 26-13-024

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 26-102—Filed June 8, 2026, 5:09 p.m., effective June 9, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: June 9, 2026.

Purpose: This emergency rule returns North Fork Nooksack River to permanent rules, closing recreational hatchery Chinook retention.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000A.

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 is necessary to return North Fork Nooksack River to permanent rules, closing the current hatchery Chinook retention season. Creel data indicate the maximum allowable encounters of wild Chinook has been reached. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 8, 2026.

Amy H. Windrope

for Kelly Susewind

Director

The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective June 9, 2026: