WSR 18-19-022
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-235—Filed September 11, 2018, 11:56 a.m., effective September 15, 2018]
Effective Date of Rule: September 15, 2018.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000V; and 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 projected Upper Columbia coho returns are very low. The coho return to the Upper Columbia River is estimated at 1,600 to 2,762 adults this fall. This low return of coho in 2018 will likely result in the failure to meet hatchery broodstock needs or meet natural spawner escapement goals in the Upper Columbia River tributaries including the Wenatchee and Methow systems. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 10, 2018.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000WFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia 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 September 15, 2018 until further notice:
(a) Mouth of the Columbia River from Buoy 10 to the HWY 395 Bridge at Pasco.
(i) Salmon and steelhead, immediately until further notice: release all steelhead.
(ii) Closed to fishing at night for salmon and steelhead immediately until further notice.
(b) HWY 395 Bridge at Pasco to Priest Rapids Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 31, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, up to 2 may be adults.
(B) Release coho.
(c) Rock Island Dam to Rocky Reach Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 3 sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release adult Chinook and coho.
(d) 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.
(e) Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph 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.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective September 15, 2018:
WAC 220-312-06000V | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (18-215) |