WSR 17-15-045 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-162—Filed July 11, 2017, 12:57 p.m., effective July 11, 2017, 12:57 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules on Skagit Basin rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000J and 220-312-04000K; and amending WAC 220-312-040.
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: The department is in the process of adopting permanent rules that are necessary to implement the personal use fishing plans agreed-to with resource comanagers at the North of Falcon proceedings and to avoid gear conflicts with tribal fisheries scheduled for those dates. These emergency rules are necessary to comply with agreed-to management plans, and are interim until permanent rules take effect.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 11, 2017.
Nate Pamplin
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000R Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-040, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to violate the provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(a) Skagit River:
(i) From the mouth to the Highway 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon: Closed; July 11 through July 13 and July 16 until further notice.
(ii) From Hwy. 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) to mouth of Gilligan Creek:
(A) Open July 14 through July 21; Daily limit of three sockeye salmon. Night closure is in effect.
(B) Closed July 11 through 13 and July 22 until further notice
(iii) From the mouth of Gilligan Creek to Hwy 530 Bridge at Rockport: Closed; July 11 through 13 and July 16 until further notice.
(iv) Hwy 530 Bridge at Rockport to Gorge powerhouse at Newhalem: Closed; July 16 until further notice.
(b) Cascade River, mouth upstream: Closed; effective July 16 until further notice.
(c) Sauk River
(i) From the mouth to White Chuck River: Closed effective July 16 until further notice
(ii) From White Chuck River mouth upstream, including North fork to North Fork Falls, and South fork to Elliot Creek: Closed; effective July 16 through October 31, 2017.
(d) White Chuck River, mouth upstream: Closed; effective July 16 through October 31, 2017.
(e) Suiattle River, mouth upstream: Closed; effective July 16 through October 31, 2017.
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
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