WSR 18-21-004
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-275—Filed October 3, 2018, 4:18 p.m., effective October 6, 2018]
Effective Date of Rule: October 6, 2018.
Purpose: Amend recreational salmon fishing rules for the Grays River, West Fork Grays River, Toutle River, and North Fork Toutle River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-030.
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 Grays River Hatchery coho return to date is below what is needed for hatchery broodstock. Similarly, the fall Chinook return to the North Toutle Hatchery is tracking well below the preseason forecast and currently is projected not to meet the hatchery broodstock goal. This emergency rule is needed to close coho retention in the Grays River and West Fork Grays River and to close Chinook retention in the Toutle River and North Fork Toutle River. Closing these rivers (Grays, West Fork Grays, Toutle and North Fork Toutle rivers) to retention of the salmon species as describes [described] above will increase the number of hatchery fish available for broodstock and help ensure fishing opportunities in future years. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 3, 2018.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-03000GSouthwest—Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-030, effective October 6, 2018 until further notice:
(1) Grays River (Wahkiakum Co.): From the mouth upstream to the mouth of the South Fork: release all coho.
(2) Grays River, West Fork (Wahkiakum Co.): From the mouth upstream: release all coho.
(3) Toutle River (Cowlitz Co.): from the mouth to the forks: release all Chinook.
(4) Toutle River, North Fork (Cowlitz Co.): from the mouth to the posted markers downstream of the fish collection facility: release all Chinook.