WSR 19-10-068
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-86—Filed April 30, 2019, 4:22 p.m., effective June 1, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: June 1, 2019.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Hoh River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-02000N; and amending WAC 220-312-020.
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 emergency rule is necessary to open salmon and gamefish seasons for this portion of the Hoh River. The Hoh River wild spring/summer Chinook are projected to return in numbers sufficient to allow incidental release impacts on this stock while allowing a sport fishery to target trout and dip-in hatchery Chinook during June. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 30, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000NFreshwater exceptions to statewide rulesCoast.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-020, effective June 1 through June 30, 2019:
Hoh River from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the boat launch at the DNR's Oxbow Campground:
(1) Salmon open June 1 through June 30, 2019:
(a) Daily limit 1, minimum length 12 inches.
(b) Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(2) Gamefish open June 1 through June 30, 2019:
(a) Trout: daily limit 2, minimum length 14 inches.
(b) Release wild rainbow trout and wild steelhead.
(3) Only 1 barbless hook may be used.
(4) Bait is prohibited.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective July 1, 2019:
WAC 220-312-02000N
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesCoast.