WSR 13-21-057 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 13-271—Filed October 15, 2013, 3:44 p.m., effective October 17, 2013] Effective Date of Rule: October 17, 2013.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900K; and amending WAC 232-28-619.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.020 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: Hatchery-origin steelhead in excess of desired escapement are forecast to return to the upper Columbia River. This fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage. Steelhead fisheries for hatchery steelhead (adipose clip only) have recently opened in the upper Columbia and tributaries allowing early retention of adipose clip only steelhead in the lower Hanford Reach. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 15, 2013.
Joe Stohr
for Philip Anderson
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-61900K Exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619, effective October 17 through October 31, 2013, it is permissible to fish for and possess hatchery steelhead in waters of the Columbia River from the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco upstream to the old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers. Daily limit two hatchery steelhead, 20 inch minimum size. Adipose present steelhead must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 12:01 a.m. November 1, 2013:
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