WSR 17-23-095 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-317—Filed November 15, 2017, 11:16 a.m., effective November 18, 2017] Effective Date of Rule: November 18, 2017. Purpose: Amends recreational fishing rules for the Snake River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-05000W; and 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: This emergency rule is necessary because there are enough hatchery Group A steelhead in the basin to allow for increasing daily limits, while also reaching hatchery broodstock needs at all Group A steelhead hatcheries, including those in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. 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 Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 15, 2017. J. W. Unsworth Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000X Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-050, effective November 18, 2017, until further notice, the following rules apply: Unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect.
(1) Grande Ronde River - from the County Road Bridge (about 2.5 miles upstream from the mouth) to the Oregon State line.
(a) Daily limit of two hatchery steelhead.
(b) Rescinds mandatory hatchery steelhead retention rule.
(c) It is unlawful to fish for or possess steelhead in those waters of all tributaries of the Grande Ronde River.
(2) Snake River – from the mouth of the Snake River (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to the Washington/Idaho State line, at Clarkston Washington.
(a) Daily limit two hatchery steelhead.
(b) Release all steelhead 28 inches or greater in length.
(3) Snake River - from the Idaho/Washington state line at (Clarkston Washington) upstream to the Couse Creek Boat Ramp.
(a) Daily limit two hatchery steelhead.
(b) Release all steelhead 28 inches or greater in length.
(4) Snake River – from Couse Creek Boat Ramp upstream to the Idaho/Oregon state line.
(a) Daily limit two hatchery steelhead.
(b) No maximum size limit for hatchery steelhead.
(5) Touchet River – from the mouth to the confluence of the North and South Fork Touchet Rivers.
(a) Daily limit of two hatchery steelhead.
(b) Rescinds mandatory hatchery steelhead retention rule.
(c) It is unlawful to fish for or possess steelhead in those waters of all tributaries of the Touchet River.
(6) Tucannon River – from the mouth to the Tucannon Hatchery Road Bridge.
(a) Daily limit of two hatchery steelhead.
(b) Rescinds mandatory hatchery steelhead retention rule.
(7) Walla Walla River – from the mouth to the Oregon State line.
(a) Daily limit of two hatchery steelhead.
(b) Rescinds mandatory hatchery steelhead retention rule.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective November 18, 2017:
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