WSR 02-21-079

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 02-263 -- Filed October 17, 2002, 3:07 p.m. , effective October 19, 2002, 12:01 a.m. ]

     Date of Adoption: October 17, 2002.

     Purpose: Amend personal use fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-619.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 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: Fall chinook salmon are not migrating upriver in a normal pattern because of extreme low flow conditions with little or no rainfall in the immediate forecast. Many chinook are not migrating at all but are milling in the river and appear to be moving in and out with the tides. Biologists are concerned that chinook may be subjected to higher than normal harvest rates in the tribal and sport fisheries in the lower river because the lack of movement upstream and that fall chinook escapement objectives may not be met unless immediate action is taken to reduce harvest. Releasing all chinook in the sport fishery will allow many of these fish to reach the spawning grounds as soon as flows increase. Due to the extreme low water, a disorderly fishery with a significant amount of snagging has developed in the Quillayute River. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: October 19, 2002, 12:01 a.m.

October 17, 2002

J. P. Koenings

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-61900T   Exceptions to statewide rules   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619, effective October 19, 2002 until further notice it is unlawful to violate the following provisions in the following waters:

     (1) Quillayute River (Jefferson Co.) Those waters from mouth to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel Rivers, including Olympic National Park waters - Closed to fishing.

     (2) Hoh River (Jefferson Co.) Those waters from mouth to Morgans Crossing boat launch - Release chinook salmon. All species selective gear rules from the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgans Crossing boat launch.

     (3) Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.) Those waters from mouth to Highway 101 Bridge - Release chinook salmon.

     (4) Calawah River (Clallam Co.) Those waters from mouth to Highway 101 Bridge - Release chinook salmon.

     (5) Dickey River (Clallam Co.) Those waters from mouth to East Fork Dickey River including Olympic National Park - Release chinook salmon.

     (6) Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.) Those waters from mouth to concrete pump station at Sol Duc hatchery - Release chinook salmon.

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