WSR 11-19-069

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 11-242 -- Filed September 15, 2011, 3:49 p.m. , effective September 15, 2011, 3:49 p.m. ]


     Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-52-040.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020.

     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: Washington department of fish and wildlife permitted gear recovery is allowed by permanent regulation fifteen days following the close of the commercial season to allow fish and wildlife officers time to enforce rules relative to fishing during the closed season. An earlier start to the permitted gear recovery gives participants more time to recover lost gear before weather conditions become prohibitive to safe gear recovery efforts. 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 15, 2011.

Lori Preuss

for Philip Anderson

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-04000E   Coastal crab fishery -- Coastal crab gear recovery permit.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-040, effective immediately until further notice, five days after the close of the primary coastal commercial crab season, a coastal crab gear recovery permit may be granted by the director or his or her designee for licensed coastal Dungeness crab fishers to recover crab pots belonging to state licensed fishers that remain in the ocean.

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