WSR 20-05-056
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-30—Filed February 14, 2020, 10:39 a.m., effective February 17, 2020]
Effective Date of Rule: February 17, 2020.
Purpose: Amends recreational fishing rules for the Chehalis River Basin.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-02000A; and amending WAC 220-312-020.
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 preseason forecasted return of Chehalis Basin wild steelhead is six thousand six hundred sixteen fish; this is far below the conservation goal of eight thousand six hundred spawning steelhead. Review of in-season harvest data indicates that the return may even be lower than the preseason forecast. In addition, the estimate of Chehalis Basin wild steelhead returning to spawn have not reached the escapement goal for each of the last three years. Based on this, state and tribal comanagers are in agreement that measures need to be taken to correct this declining trend. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 14, 2020.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000AFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coastal.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-020, effective February 17 through May 22, 2020, the following waters are closed to all fishing:
Chehalis, Elk, Johns, Hoquiam, Newaukum, Satsop, Skookumchuck, Wishkah, and Wynoochee rivers, and Cloquallum and Elk creeks and their tributaries.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective May 23, 2020:
WAC 220-312-02000A | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coastal. |