WSR 14-21-008 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 14-284—Filed October 2, 2014, 9:27 a.m., effective October 4, 2014] Effective Date of Rule: October 4, 2014.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-20000V; and amending WAC 220-310-200.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 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 intent of the fishery is removal of excess hatchery fall chinook from the Upper Columbia River Basin while also providing additional angling opportunity. Over eighty thousand chinook primarily from the Hanford Reach fall chinook hatchery programs have returned above Priest Rapids Dam, including over eighteen thousand above Rock Island Dam. In addition, an estimated thirty thousand or more coho are expected to return this year above Priest Rapids Dam and are in excess of spawning escapement and hatchery broodstock needs. Neither population is listed under the Endangered Species Act. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 2, 2014.
Nate Pamplin
for Philip Anderson
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-20000V Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-200, effective October 4 through November 30, 2014, it is permissible to fish for salmon in waters of the Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400' below Chief Joseph Dam with the following restrictions:
(1) Daily limit six chinook salmon (marked or unmarked), of which only three may be adult Chinook, and two coho salmon.
(2) Minimum size 12 inches.
(3) Selective gear rules apply (single barbless hooks or flies, knotless nets), except bait is permissible.
(4) Night closure is in effect.
(5) Release all floy (anchor) tagged coho.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective December 1, 2014:
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