WSR 17-13-033 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-124—Filed June 13, 2017, 1:26 p.m., effective June 16, 2017] Effective Date of Rule: June 16, 2017.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Yakima River.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-050.
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: Yakama Nation and Washington department of fish and wildlife fishery managers are still forecasting a harvestable return of two thousand or more adult Cle Elum Hatchery spring Chinook to the Yakima River even though the run is extremely late this year. Opening a portion of the Yakima River for spring Chinook salmon will provide additional fishing 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 13, 2017.
June 13, 2017
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000L Exceptions to statewide rules—Yakima River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-050, the following rules apply:
(1) Effective June 16, 2017, until further notice, a person may fish for salmon in waters of the Yakima River from the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap (river mile 107.1) to the BNSF railroad bridge approximately 600 feet downstream of Roza Dam (river mile 127.8).
(2) Daily limit of two hatchery Chinook, minimum size 12 inches in length. Terminal gear is restricted to two, single (point), barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less when fishing for salmon. Use of bait is allowed.
(3) The Selective Gear Rules requirement prohibiting use of bait and knotted nets is temporarily suspended for all species, but only in the river section open to salmon fishing.
(4) Night closure is in effect.
(5) The Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this fishery.
(6) In all areas open to salmon fishing, the use of two (2) fishing poles is permitted during the salmon fishery provided the participating angler has purchased a "Two-Pole Endorsement" (in addition to the freshwater fishing license and Columbia River salmon/steelhead endorsement).
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