WSR 17-21-054

EMERGENCY RULES

[Order 17-282—Filed October 13, 2017, 4:35 p.m., effective October 16, 2017]

Effective Date of Rule: October 16, 2017.

Purpose: Amend recreational fishing regulations for the Hoh and South Fork Hoh rivers.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-020.

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: This emergency rule is needed because unusually low river flows in recent weeks have created difficult migrating conditions for returning salmon, impeding their movement upstream and increasing their vulnerability to treaty and sport fisheries. The closure is intended to protect these fish until flow conditions change sufficiently to enable normal migration and attainment of escapement goals. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 13, 2017.

Ron Warren

for J. W. Unsworth

Director