WSR 17-20-005
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 17-258—Filed September 21, 2017, 2:31 p.m., effective September 22, 2017]
Effective Date of Rule: September 22, 2017.
Purpose: Amends Puget Sound freshwater areas – Snohomish, Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-040.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.
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 protect pink runs to the Snohomish River watershed. Inseason run-size assessments conducted by state and tribal comanagers indicate that pink run sizes are below preseason forecasts in the Snohomish Basin. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 21, 2017.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000W Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-040, effective September 22, 2017, until further notice, it is unlawful to retain pink salmon in the following waters:
(1) Snohomish River (Snohomish Co.)
(2) Skykomish River (Snohomish Co.)
(3) Snoqualmie River (King/Snohomish Co.)