WSR 19-04-034
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-15—Filed January 28, 2019, 2:57 p.m., effective February 1, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: February 1, 2019.
Purpose: Amends recreational gamefish rules for the Sauk and Skagit rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000H; and amending WAC 220-312-040.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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: This rule is needed to open gamefish seasons in portions of the Sauk and Skagit rivers. The Skagit River steelhead fishery resource management plan received formal federal approval in April 2018, allowing the fishery to proceed. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: January 28, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
WAC 220-312-04000HFreshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-040, effective February 1 through April 30, 2019:
(1) Sauk River (Skagit/Snohomish County): from the mouth to the Darrington Bridge (Sauk Prairie Road Bridge).
(a) Release all fish except hatchery steelhead.
(b) Selective Gear Rules.
(c) Night Closure.
(d) It is unlawful to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
(2) Skagit River (Skagit Co.): from the Dalles Bridge in the town of Concrete to the Cascade River Road Bridge in Marblemount:
(a) Release all fish except hatchery steelhead.
(b) Selective Gear Rules.
(c) Night Closure.
(d) It is unlawful to fish from a floating device that is under power.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective May 1, 2019:
WAC 220-312-04000H
Puget SoundFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules.