WSR 18-04-045
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-16—Filed January 31, 2018, 2:53 p.m., effective January 31, 2018, 2:53 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amends Columbia River recreational sturgeon rules.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000W; and amending WAC 220-312-060.
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 rule is needed to preserve recreational sturgeon harvest opportunities for a summer fishery in Bonneville Pool and also to avoid recreational sturgeon harvest exceeding current guidelines of one hundred five fish in John Day Pool. This action is consistent with decisions made by the states of Washington and Oregon on January 30, 2018. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent regulations.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: January 30, 2018.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000X Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, the following rules apply:
(1) Effective immediately until further notice, retention of white sturgeon is prohibited in the Dalles Pool. Catch and release continues to be allowed in the Dalles Pool.
(2) Effective February 4, 2018, until further notice, retention of white sturgeon is prohibited in Bonneville Pool. Catch and release continues to be allowed in Bonneville Pool.
(3) Effective February 12, 2018, until further notice, retention of white sturgeon is prohibited in John Day Pool. Catch and release continues to be allowed in John Day Pool.
Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-312-06000W
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (18-09)