WSR 13-14-048
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 13-135—Filed June 27, 2013, 2:18 p.m., effective June 29, 2013]
Effective Date of Rule: June 29, 2013.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900Q; and amending WAC 232-28-619.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.045, 77.12.047, and 77.04.020.
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: Closes the John Day Pool for retention of white sturgeon. The harvest guideline is expected to be reached June 29, 2013. This action effectively closes retention of sturgeon in all areas of the Columbia River downstream of McNary Dam, except The Dalles Pool. Catch-and-release fisheries remain in place, except within designated sturgeon spawning sanctuaries located immediately downstream of McNary, John Day, and Bonneville dams. These actions were adopted at the joint Washington-Oregon public hearing on June 26, 2013. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 27, 2013.
Philip Anderson
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-61900U Exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River sturgeon. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619:
(1) Effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to retain white sturgeon caught in those waters of the Columbia River from the mouth upstream to The Dalles Dam and in all adjacent Washington tributaries.
(2) Effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to retain white sturgeon caught in those waters of the Columbia River from John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam and in all adjacent Washington tributaries.
(3) Effective immediately through August 31, it is unlawful to fish for sturgeon from Bonneville Dam downstream 9 miles to a line crossing the Columbia River from navigation marker 82 on the Oregon shore, westerly to the boundary marker on the Washington shore upstream of Fir Point.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective June 29, 2013:
WAC 232-28-61900Q
Exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River sturgeon. (13-128)