BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS

 OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the adoption of a temporary emergency rule closing the Woodside Bridge Fishing Access Site in Ravalli County

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NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF A TEMPORARY EMERGENCY RULE

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1.         The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (department) has determined the following reasons justify the adoption of a temporary emergency rule:

            (a)       The Bitterroot River is flooding into the Woodside Bridge Fishing Access Site (FAS).

            (b)       Persons recreating in the flooded portion of the FAS are at risk of:

(i)         drowning due to unexpected changes to topography obscured by flood waters; or

(ii)        drowning due to swift current created by flood water around trees.

(c)        Therefore, as this situation constitutes an imminent peril to public health, safety, and welfare, and this threat cannot be averted or remedied by any other administrative act, the department adopts the following temporary emergency rule. The emergency rule will be sent as a press release to newspapers throughout the state. Also, signs informing the public of the closure will be posted at access points. The rule will be sent to interested parties, and published as a temporary emergency rule in Issue No. 10 of the 2013 Montana Administrative Register.

 

            2.         The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the rulemaking process and need an alternative accessible format of the notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the department no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 7, 2013, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Jessica Snyder, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701; telephone (406) 444-9785; fax (406) 444-7456; or e-mail [email protected].

 

            3.         The temporary emergency rule is effective May 13, 2013 when this rule notice is filed with the Secretary of State.

 

            4.         The text of the temporary emergency rule provides as follows:

 

            RULE I WOODSIDE BRIDGE FISHING ACCESS SITE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY CLOSURE (1) The Woodside Bridge Fishing Access Site is located in Ravalli County.

            (2) Portions of the Woodside Bridge Fishing Access Site are closed to all public occupation and recreation as signed.

            (3) This rule is effective as long as water is flooding the fishing access site.

            (4) This rule will expire as soon as the department determines the fishing access site is again safe for occupation and recreation. This will depend on the extent and duration of the flooding in the area. Signs restricting use of the fishing access site will be removed when the rule is no longer effective.

 

            AUTH:            2-4-303, 23-1-106, MCA

               IMP:             2-4-303, 23-1-106, MCA

 

            5.         The rationale for the temporary emergency rule is as set forth in paragraph 1.

 

6.         Concerned persons are encouraged to submit their comments to the department. They should submit their comments along with their names and addresses to Jessica Snyder, Legal Unit, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701; telephone (406) 454-5845; fax (406) 761-8477; or e-mail [email protected]. Any comments must be received no later than June 21, 2013.

 

7.         The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notice of rulemaking actions proposed by the department or commission. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make written request that includes the name and mailing address of the person to receive the notice and specifies the subject or subjects about which the person wishes to receive notice. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Legal Unit, P.O. Box 200701, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT 59620-0701, faxed to the office at (406) 444-7456, or may be made by completing the request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

            8.         The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

/s/ Mike Volesky Mike Volesky, Deputy Director Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

/s/ Zach Zipfel Zach Zipfel Rule Reviewer

 

Certified to the Secretary of State May 13, 2013.