WSR 17-19-001

EMERGENCY RULES

[Order 17-239—Filed September 6, 2017, 4:40 p.m., effective September 6, 2017, 4:40 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: Amends Puget Sound commercial bottomfish drag seine fishery to allow for retention of Atlantic salmon.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-355-020.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 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 needed to facilitate removal of Atlantic salmon, a nonnative species. Cooke Aquaculture Pacific, the owner of net pen facility near Cypress Island, Washington (near the San Juan Islands) has indicated that structural damage to one of their Atlantic salmon net pens resulted in the escape of Atlantic salmon adults. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 6, 2017.

J. W. Unsworth

Director