WSR 26-14-073

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 26-117—Filed June 26, 2026, 2:41 p.m., effective July 5, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: July 5, 2026.

Purpose: This emergency rule sets the coastal crab summer accounting periods and implements a 2,500 pound weekly limit beginning July 5.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-420.

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: The weekly landing limit and period is necessary to mitigate handling mortality from sorting soft-shelled crab and provide for an orderly fishery. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 26, 2026.

Kelly Susewind

Director