WSR 15-10-009 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-85—Filed April 23, 2015, 10:15 a.m., effective May 2, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: May 2, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Yakima River.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19500R; and amending WAC 220-310-195.
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: Yakama Nation and Washington department of fish and wildlife fishery managers are forecasting a harvestable return of three thousand nine hundred adult hatchery spring chinook salmon to the Yakima River in 2015. Opening the two sections of the Yakima River for spring chinook salmon will provide additional fishing 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 23, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500R Exceptions to statewide rules—Yakima River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-195:
(1) Effective May 2 through June 15, 2015, it is permissible to fish for salmon in waters of the Yakima River from the Hwy. 240 bridge in Richland (river mile 2.1) to the Grant Avenue bridge in Prosser (river mile 47.0) approximately 1,000 feet downstream of Prosser Dam.
(a) Daily limit of two hatchery Chinook, minimum size 12 inches in length.
(b) Terminal gear is restricted to two single (point) barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less when fishing for salmon. It is permissible to use bait.
(c) The Yakima River adjacent to the USBR Chandler Powerhouse/Pumping Station is closed to all fishing from the WDFW white markers 200 feet downstream of the spillway chute to the power line crossing immediately upstream of the powerhouse.
(2) Effective May 9 through June 30, 2015, it is permissible to fish for salmon in waters of the Yakima River from the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap (river mile 107.1) to the BNSF railroad bridge approximately 600 feet downstream of Roza Dam (river mile 127.8).
(a) Daily limit of two hatchery Chinook, minimum size 12 inches in length.
(b) When fishing for salmon, terminal gear is restricted to two single (point) barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less.
(c) During the salmon fishery, the Selective Gear Rules requirement prohibiting use of bait and knotted nets is temporarily suspended for all species, but only in the river section open to salmon fishing. Night closure is in effect.
(d) The upper "closed water" boundary line is moved upstream to the railroad bridge downstream of Roza Dam.
(3) In both areas open to salmon fishing, the use of two (2) fishing poles is permitted during the salmon fishery provided the participating angler possesses a valid "Two-Pole Endorsement."
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective July 1, 2015:
| ||||