WSR 19-20-066

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 19-242—Filed September 26, 2019, 3:20 p.m., effective September 26, 2019, 3:20 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: Amend commercial smelt fishing rules for Puget Sound.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-356-19000C; and amending WAC 220-356-190.

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 to close Puget Sound to commercial smelt fishing, as the annual quota has been reached. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 26, 2019.

Kelly Cunningham

for Kelly Susewind

Director

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective January 1, 2020: