WSR 16-20-034 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 16-266—Filed September 27, 2016, 5:01 p.m., effective September 28, 2016] Effective Date of Rule: September 28, 2016.
Purpose: Amend freshwater recreational fishing rules for [no further information supplied by agency].
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19000T; and amending WAC 220-310-190.
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 to open the Skagit, Cascade and Sauk rivers which were originally closed to all fishing under a state and tribal comanager agreement to protect coho salmon. An inseason tribal test fishery indicated that the coho return is stronger than expected, allowing the comanagers to open fisheries for coho and gamefish which will provide 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 27, 2016.
James B. Scott, Jr.
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19000T Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-190, immediately through November 30, 2016, it is permissible to fish in the following waters:
(1) Skagit River: Open for salmon from the mouth to the Cascade River Road (Marblemount).
(a) Daily limit of 4 coho, of which no more than 2 may be wild.
(b) Bait prohibited. Anti-snagging rule, and night closure in effect.
(2) Skagit River: Open for gamefish from the mouth to the Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport.
(a) Trout: Minimum size 14 inches, daily limit 2. Dolly Varden/Bulltrout minimum size 20 inches.
(b) Other game fish – statewide rules apply.
(3) Skagit River: Open for gamefish from the Hwy 530 Bridge at Rockport to Gorge Powerhouse.
(a) Catch-and-release except daily limit of 2 hatchery steelhead.
(4) Cascade River: Open for salmon from the mouth to Rockport Cascade Road Bridge.
(a) Daily limit of 4 coho.
(b) Anti-snagging rule, and night closure in effect.
(5) Cascade River: Open for gamefish the mouth to Rockport Cascade Road Bridge.
(a) Trout: Minimum size 14 inches, daily limit 2. Dolly Varden/Bulltrout minimum size 20 inches.
(b) Other game fish – statewide rules apply.
(6) Sauk River: Open for gamefish from the mouth to White Chuck River.
(a) Catch-and-release except daily limit of 2 hatchery steelhead.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective December 1, 2016:
| ||||