WSR 17-22-079 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-287—Filed October 27, 2017, 2:42 p.m., effective October 29, 2017] Effective Date of Rule: October 29, 2017. Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules in the Snohomish, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, and Wallace rivers. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000W; and amending WAC 220-312-040. 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 because spawning ground surveys, counts at the Sunset Falls trap, and Wallace Hatchery rack returns indicate that the run size of coho and pink salmon in the Snohomish watershed are well below preseason forecasts. To protect future runs of coho, spawner escapement goals must be met. If indicators of abundance improve fisheries may be reopened. 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 Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 27, 2017. J. W. Unsworth Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000Z Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-040, effective October 29 through December 31, 2017, release all salmon except for hatchery coho in the following waters:
(a) Snohomish River (Snohomish County): from mouth to confluence of Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers
(b) Skykomish River (Snohomish County): from mouth to confluence of North and South Forks
(c) Snoqualmie River (King/Snohomish County): from mouth to Snoqualmie Falls
(d) Wallace River (Snohomish County): from mouth to 200 feet upstream of the water intake of the salmon hatchery
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective October 29, 2017:
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