WSR 16-13-045 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 16-139—Filed June 8, 2016, 12:03 p.m., effective June 12, 2016] Effective Date of Rule: June 12, 2016.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Snake River.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19500L; and amending WAC 220-310-195.
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 the current harvest estimates one hundred thirty adult hatchery Chinook are available to harvest in the Snake River. We anticipate that this additional fishery will utilize the majority of the remaining allotment of harvestable spring Chinook in the Snake River. This emergency rule is needed to open the area for two days while providing additional angling 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 8, 2016.
James B. Scott Jr.
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500L Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Snake River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-195 and WAC 220-56-180, effective June 12 through June 13, 2016:
(1) A person may fish for and possess salmon in the following waters of the Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (south side of the river approximately 3.5 miles upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. Minimum size for Chinook is 12 inches in length. This zone includes the area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility (includes the walkway area locally known as "the wall" in front of the juvenile collection facility). Open Sunday and Monday each week. Daily limit of six hatchery Chinook, of which not more than two may be an adult Chinook.
(a) All Chinook with the adipose fin intact, and all steelhead, must be released immediately, unharmed.
(b) 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.
(c) It is unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8-inch (point of hook to shank) for all species except sturgeon.
(d) Night closure is in effect for salmon and sturgeon.
(e) For all areas open for Chinook, anglers must cease fishing for Chinook when the adult limit has been retained for the day.
(f) Anglers may possess 1 daily limit in fresh form in addition to the 2 daily limits in fresh form allowed by permanent rule.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed June 14, 2016:
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