WSR 26-14-007
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-111—Filed June 17, 2026, 4:52 p.m., effective June 22, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: June 22, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens a commercial razor clam season.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-12000R; and amending WAC 220-340-120.
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 needed to open the commercial razor clam season in Razor Clam Area 2. Based on historical catches and on-site inspection, there are adequate clams to support a two-week extension of the commercial razor clam season. Washington department of health has confirmed that biotoxin levels currently fall below the regulatory threshold. This emergency rule is needed to extend the commercial razor clam season on the detached spits of Willapa Bay. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 17, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-12000RCommercial razor clams.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-340-120 regarding commercial razor clam seasons, effective June 22 through July 6, 2026, a person may dig for and possess razor clams for commercial purposes only in those waters and detached beaches of Willapa Bay lying south of the Willapa Bay Ship Channel, west of Pine Island Channel and north of Riddle Spit defined in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-340-120 remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule. Access is by boat only.
The waters and detached beaches of Willapa Bay are defined by the coordinates in this section:
(a) Northern Border: From a point at 46.7001°N, 124.0580°W East to 46.7001°N, 124.0293°W then Southeast to 46.6883°N, 124.0082°W then East to 46.6929°N, 123.9698°W.
(b) Eastern Border: From a point at 46.6929°N, 123.9698°W then South to 46.6889°N, 123.9660°W then Southwest to 46.6571°N, 123.9846°W the South to 46.6443°N, 123.9843°W then West to 46.6444°N, 123.9921°W then South to 46.5842°N, 123.9808°W.
(c) Western Border: From a point at 46.5842°N, 123.9808°W Northwest to 46.6356°N, 124.0220°W then Northwest to 46.6477°N, 124.0392°W then Northeast to 46.6584°N, 124.0307°W then North to 46.6718°N, 124.0324°W then West to 46.6748°N, 124.0579°W then North to 46.7001°N, 124.058°W.
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. REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective July 7, 2026:
WAC 220-340-12000R | Commercial razor clams. |