WSR 16-01-066 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 15-443—Filed December 11, 2015, 3:06 p.m., effective December 14, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: December 14, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for Grays Harbor tributaries.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-62000U and 220-310-18000J; and amending WAC 232-28-620 and 220-310-180.
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: An emergency rule is needed to open areas that were closed in emergency rule filing WSR 15-22-041 and 15-23-018 as hatchery steelhead are returning to Grays Harbor tributaries. Wild coho salmon remain well below the escapement goals necessitating release of all wild salmon. However, historical catch data indicate that only a small percent of the recreational coho catch occurs after November and therefore the impact to wild coho will be very small with these fisheries. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 11, 2015.
James B. Scott, Jr.
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-62000W Coastal salmon—Saltwater seasons.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-620, effective December 14, 2015, until further notice, it is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess salmon taken for personal use in Grays Harbor except:
Westport Boat Basin and Ocean Shores Boat Basin: Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-18000N Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coastal.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-180, effective December 14, 2015, until further notice, it is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess salmon taken for personal use in Grays Harbor tributaries except the following waters are open to salmon as provided below:
(1) Humptulips River (Grays Harbor County): From mouth to confluence of East and West forks. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(2) Wishkah River (Grays Harbor County): From mouth to Wishkah rearing ponds. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(3) Hoquiam River including West Fork (Grays Harbor County): From mouth to Dekay Rd. Bridge. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(4) Hoquiam River, East Fork (Grays Harbor County): From mouth to confluence of Berryman Creek. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(5) Chehalis River (Grays Harbor/Thurston/Lewis Co.): From mouth to the high bridge on Weyerhaeuser 1000 line. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(6) Van Winkle Creek (Grays Harbor County): From mouth to 400' below outlet of Lake Aberdeen Hatchery. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(7) Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.): From mouth to WDFW White Bridge Access Site. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(8) Satsop River and East Fork (Grays Harbor/Mason Co.): From mouth to bridge at Schafer State Park. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(9) Satsop River, East Fork (Grays Harbor/Mason Co.): From 400' below Bingham Creek Hatchery dam to dam. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(10) Black River (Grays Harbor/Thurston Co.): From Hwy. 12 bridge to bridge on 128th Ave SW. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(11) Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston Co.): From mouth to 100' below outlet of WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
(12) Newaukum River, including south fork (Lewis County): From mouth to Leonard Road. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed effective December 14, 2015:
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