WSR 17-13-090
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 17-127—Filed June 19, 2017, 3:51 p.m., effective July 1, 2017]
Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2017.
Purpose: Amend freshwater recreational fishing rules for the Columbia River and eastside rivers.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-050 and 220-312-060.
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: 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. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 19, 2017.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000M Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesEastside.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-050, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) Chelan River (Chelan County): From the railroad bridge to the Chelan P.U.D. safety barrier below the power house it is permissible to retain four sockeye in the daily limit when open for salmon fishing.
(2) Okanogan River (Okanogan County):
(a) In waters of the Okanogan River open for salmon fishing it is permissible to retain 4 sockeye salmon in the daily limit.
(b) Effective July 1 through August 15, 2017, in those waters from mouth to Hwy. 97 Bridge immediately upstream of mouth it is permissible to retain hatchery trout. Min. size 12". Daily limit 10 hatchery TROUT. Barbless hooks required.
(3) Similkameen River (Okanogan County): In waters of the Similkameen River open for salmon fishing it is permissible to retain 4 sockeye salmon in the daily limit.
(4) Wenatchee River (Chelan Co): In waters of the Wenatchee River open for salmon fishing it is permissible to retain 4 sockeye salmon in the daily limit. Release all coho.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000L Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesColumbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) Effective July 1, 2017, until further notice, in those waters from Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam it is permissible to retain four sockeye in the daily limit when open for salmon fishing.
(2) Effective July 16, 2017, until further notice, in those waters from Wells Dam to the Hwy 173 Bridge at Brewster it is permissible to retain four sockeye in the daily limit when open for salmon fishing.
(3) Effective July 1, 2017, until further notice, in those waters from the Hwy 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam it is permissible to retain four sockeye in the daily limit when open for salmon fishing.
(4) Effective July 16 through August 15, 2017, in those waters from Wells Dam to the Hwy 173 Bridge at Brewster it is permissible to retain hatchery trout. Min. size 12". Daily limit 10 hatchery TROUT. Barbless hooks required.
(5) Effective July 1 through August 15, 2017, in those waters from the Hwy 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam it is permissible to retain hatchery trout. Min. size 12". Daily limit 10 hatchery TROUT. Barbless hooks required.