WSR 19-20-059
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-234—Filed September 26, 2019, 11:25 a.m., effective October 1, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2019.
Purpose: Amend recreational steelhead fishing rules for the Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000Y; and amending WAC 220-312-060.
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 to close steelhead fishing in the Hanford Reach. Through September 24, the 2019 steelhead return is the fourth lowest return on record since 1962 for both the Upper Columbia River and Snake River. Adult returns of Ringold Springs Hatchery origin steelhead are currently tracking at less than fifty percent of the 2018 return. The closure is necessary to ensure sufficient numbers of steelhead will be available to meet hatchery broodstock production needs. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 26, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000ZFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, effective October 01, 2019:
(1) From the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line to Bonneville Dam; Effective immediately through October 31, 2019: Closed to all salmon and steelhead.
(2) From Bonneville Dam to the Hwy. 395 Bridge (Pasco/Kennewick): Effective immediately through December 31, 2019: Closed to all salmon and steelhead.
(3) From Hwy. 395 Bridge (Pasco/Kennewick) to the Old Hanford townsite powerline crossing:
(a) Salmon: Effective immediately through October 31, 2019: Daily limit 6, up to 1 adult may be retained.
(b) Steelhead: Effective immediately through December 31, 2019: Closed.
(4) From the Old Hanford townsite powerline crossing to Priest Rapids Dam; salmon; effective immediately through October 15, 2019: Daily limit 6, up to 1 adult may be retained.
(5) From the upstream line of Rocky Reach Dam to the boundary markers 400' below the spawning channel discharges (on Chelan County side) and the fish ladder (on Douglas County side) at Wells Dam; salmon; effective immediately through October 15, 2019:
(a) Daily limit 6.
(b) No more than 2 adult Chinook may be retained.
(c) Release wild adult Chinook, sockeye, and coho.
(d) Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish for salmon with two lines.
(6) From the Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster upstream to the Highway 17 Bridge near Bridgeport; salmon; effective immediately until further notice:
(a) Daily limit 6.
(b) No more than 2 adult Chinook may be retained.
(c) Release wild adult Chinook, sockeye, and coho.
(d) Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish for salmon with two lines.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective October 01, 2019:
WAC 220-312-06000Y | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia (19-232) |