WSR 15-11-003 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-107—Filed May 6, 2015, 4:05 p.m., effective May 10, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: May 10, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19500M; and amending WAC 220-310-195.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 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: Based on current harvest estimates, and anticipated harvest through Tuesday, May 5, an estimated one thousand two hundred adult hatchery chinook are expected to have been harvested. Monday, May 4, the upriver spring chinook run was updated to two hundred forty-one thousand fish. In an effort to share fishing opportunity and harvest, the lower two fishery zones on the Snake River will close and the upper two zones will remain open on a three day rotating basis until further notice. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 6, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500S Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Snake River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-195 and WAC 220-56-180, effective May 10, 2015, until further notice:
(1) It is permissible to fish for and possess salmon in the Snake River from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from the West Evans Road on the south shore) upstream about 3.5 miles to the Washington state line (from the east levee of the Greenbelt boat launch in Clarkston northwest across the Snake River to the WA/ID boundary waters marker on the Whitman County shore).
(a) Open Thursday through Saturday each week. Daily limit of six hatchery Chinook, of which not more than one may be an adult Chinook. Minimum size for Chinook is 12 inches in length.
(b) All Chinook with the adipose fin intact, and all steelhead, must be released immediately, unharmed.
(c) Hooks must be barbless when fishing for all species during times and in locations open for salmon fishing and retention, and only single barbless hooks are allowed when fishing for sturgeon.
(d) It is unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8-inch (point of hook to shank) for all species except sturgeon.
(e) Night closure is in effect for salmon and sturgeon.
(f) For all areas open for Chinook, anglers must cease fishing for Chinook when the adult limit has been retained for the day.
(g) Anglers may possess 1 daily limit in fresh form in addition to the 2 daily limits in fresh form allowed by permanent rule.
(2) It is permissible to fish for and possess salmon in waters of the Snake River from the south shore boat launch (llia boat launch) across to the mouth of Almota Creek upstream about four miles to the restricted fishing area below Lower Granite Dam. Open Sunday through Tuesday each week. Daily limit of six hatchery Chinook, of which not more than one may be an adult Chinook. Minimum size for Chinook is 12 inches in length.
(a) Open Sunday through Tuesday each week. Daily limit of six hatchery Chinook, of which not more than one may be an adult Chinook. Minimum size for Chinook is 12 inches in length.
(b) All Chinook with adipose fins intact and all steelhead must be released immediately, unharmed.
(c) Hooks must be barbless when fishing for all species during times and in locations open for salmon fishing and retention, and only single barbless hooks are allowed when fishing for sturgeon.
(d) It is unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8-inch (point of hook to shank) for all species except sturgeon.
(e) Night closure is in effect for salmon and sturgeon.
(f) For all areas open for Chinook, anglers must cease fishing for Chinook when the adult limit has been retained for the day.
(g) Anglers may possess 1 daily limit in fresh form in addition to the 2 daily limits in fresh form allowed by permanent rules.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
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