WSR 14-13-040
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 14-141—Filed June 10, 2014, 2:31 p.m., effective June 12, 2014]
Effective Date of Rule: June 12, 2014.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-310-195.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 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: The Yakama Nation (YN) and the Washington department of fish and wildlife are continuing the reintroduction of anadromous sockeye salmon in the upper Cle Elum Basin that began in July 2009. Juvenile sampling by the YN at Roza and Prosser dams has shown that juvenile sockeye may remain in the lake for two or more years before migrating to the ocean. If nine inch to fifteen inch "kokanee" being caught are juvenile sockeye that may migrate to the ocean, then a reduced daily limit from sixteen to five fish is consistent with promoting the sockeye reintroduction program. Increasing the trout daily limit to five fish, including kokanee, should reduce the harvest of larger juvenile sockeye, while allowing increased harvest of other trout including nonnative lake trout (mackinaw), eastern brook trout and brown trout that prey on or compete with juvenile sockeye salmon.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 10, 2014.
Philip Anderson
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500P Exceptions to statewide rulesCooper Lake and Cle Elum Lake (Reservoir).
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-195, effective June 12, 2014, until further notice, in waters of Cle Elum Lake and Cooper Lake (Kittitas Co.).
(1) Minimum size for kokanee is 9 inches in length and a maximum size of 15 inches in length.
(2) The trout daily limit is 5 fish, including kokanee.