WSR 14-04-076 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 14-17—Filed January 30, 2014, 4:43 p.m., effective February 1, 2014] Effective Date of Rule: February 1, 2014.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900U; and amending WAC 232-28-619.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 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: Sets a second winter-season retention period in Bonneville Reservoir. Harvest during the first opener was less than expected. Fishery managers set aside around five hundred fifty fish for the winter season from the guideline of one thousand one hundred fish. A balance of approximately three hundred fish remain available for harvest during the winter season. About half of the overall guideline is expected to remain available for harvest during a summer retention season. Regulation is consistent with joint Washington-Oregon action of January 29, 2014. Conforms Washington state rules with Oregon state rules. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: January 30, 2014.
Philip Anderson
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-61900C Exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River sturgeon.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619:
(1) Effective February 1 through February 17, 2014, it is permissible to retain white sturgeon between 38-inches minimum and 54-inches maximum fork length caught in those waters of the Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam.
(2) Effective 12:01 a.m. February 18, 2014, until further notice, it is unlawful to retain sturgeon caught in those waters of the Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam. Catch and release is permissible.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
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