WSR 26-13-066
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-106—Filed June 12, 2026, 4:52 p.m., effective June 12, 2026, 4:52 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: This emergency rule closes the harvest of clams, mussels, and oysters on all public beaches within Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point, and on all public beaches within Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) until further notice.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-330-110 and 220-330-140.
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: These rules are needed to close recreational clam, mussel, and oyster harvest in areas (Hood Canal and southern Admiralty Inlet) affected by dangerous levels of biotoxins in shellfish, aligning with Washington department of health harvest advisory. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 12, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-11000VClams other than razor clams, mussels—Areas and seasons.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-110, effective immediately, until further notice, the following provisions of WAC 220-330-110 clam and mussel seasons shall be as described in this section. All other provisions not addressed in this section, unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) All public beaches within Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point, and all public beaches within Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal): closed until further notice.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-14000SOysters—Areas and seasons.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-140, effective immediately, until further notice, the following provisions of WAC 220-330-140 oyster seasons shall be as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-330-140 not addressed this section, unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(2) All public beaches within Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point, and all public beaches within Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal): closed until further notice.
Reviser's note: The typographical 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.