WSR 18-17-024
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-183—Filed August 3, 2018, 3:57 p.m., effective August 6, 2018]
Effective Date of Rule: August 6, 2018.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000R; 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 emergency rule is needed because elevated water temperatures in the Yakima River has [have] resulted in a barrier to fish passage. Sockeye returning to the Yakima River Basin are vulnerable to overharvest while staging in the Columbia River at the Yakima River confluence. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 3, 2018.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000TFreshwater exceptions to statewide rulesColumbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect. Effective August 6 through October 15, 2018:
(a) From HWY 395 Bridge at Pasco upstream to the Interstate 182 Bridge:
(i) Salmon, immediately through August 15, 2018: Closed
(b) From Interstate 182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through August 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained.
(B) Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(c) Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through August 31, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 3 sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(d) Rock Island Dam to Rocky Reach Dam:
(i) Salmon, effective immediately through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 3 sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(e) Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adult Chinook and 3 sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(f) Wells Dam to Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster:
(i) Salmon, from August 1 through August 31, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adult Chinook and 3 Sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(g) Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam:
(i) Salmon, from August 1 through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adult Chinook and 3 Sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 6, 2018:
WAC 220-312-06000R
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (18-172)