WSR 15-06-011 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-31—Filed February 20, 2015, 3:42 p.m., effective March 1, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: March 1, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-310-185.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 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: The preseason forecast is for a return of one thousand one hundred adult spring Chinook to the Lewis River in 2015. The closure is necessary to provide enough fish to meet the hatchery escapement goal of approximately one thousand three hundred fifty fish. The hatchery escapement goal for late winter run steelhead in the Kalama River is expected to be met and surplus fish are available for harvest providing additional angling opportunity. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 20, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-18500N Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Lewis River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-185:
(1) Effective March 1, 2015, until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for or possess Chinook salmon in the following waters:
(a) Lewis River - from the mouth upstream to the mouth of the East Fork.
(b) North Fork Lewis River - from the mouth of East Fork upstream to the overhead powerlines below Merwin Dam.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-18500P Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Kalama River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-185, effective March 1, 2015, until further notice, the daily limit is three hatchery steelhead in the waters of the Kalama River from boundary markers at the mouth to 1,000 feet below fishway at the upper salmon hatchery.
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