WSR 18-18-045
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-219—Filed August 29, 2018, 12:04 p.m., effective August 29, 2018, 12:04 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend recreational sturgeon fishing rules for sturgeon in the Columbia River estuary.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-060.
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 increased legal-size population of white sturgeon is sufficient to allow a limited harvest of sturgeon from Wauna powerlines to Bonneville Dam. This rule will provide for additional angling opportunity. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: August 29, 2018.
James B. Scott, Jr.
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000KFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, it is unlawful to violate the provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) From Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam including and all adjacent Washington tributaries:
(a) It is permissible to retain white sturgeon on the following dates: September 15 and September 22, 2018.
(i) The daily limit of white sturgeon is one fish between 44-inches minimum and 50-inches maximum fork length.
(b) Catch and release angling is permissible on days not open to sturgeon retention.