WSR 15-13-006
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 15-156—Filed June 3, 2015, 4:18 p.m., effective June 3, 2015, 4:18 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19500T; 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: Hatchery-origin spring chinook in excess of desired escapement are forecast to return to the Wenatchee River. The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin spring chinook and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin spring chinook on the spawning grounds. Opening two sections of the Wenatchee River and a section of the Icicle River 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 3, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500Y Freshwaters exceptions to statewide rulesWenatchee and Icicle rivers.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-195, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) Effective immediately, until further notice, it is permissible to fish in waters of the Wenatchee River from the Washington State Parks foot bridge at Confluence Park (just upstream from the confluence with the Columbia River) to 400 feet below Dryden Dam and it is permissible to fish in waters of the Wenatchee River from the confluence with Peshastin Creek and from that point to a line perpendicular with the river to the opposite river bank (approximately 1,000 feet above Dryden Dam), then to the upstream point of the confluence with the Icicle River and from that point to a line perpendicular with the Wenatchee River to the marker on the opposite river bank.
(a) Daily limit two hatchery Chinook. Mandatory retention of adipose fin clipped Chinook applies.
(b) Anglers must release adipose present Chinook unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
(c) Anglers must release all Chinook with one or more round 1/4 inch diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.
(d) Anglers may fish with one line with up to two single point barbless hooks, knotless nets, and bait is allowed
(e) Night closure is in effect.
(2) Effective immediately through July 31, 2015, it is permissible to fish in waters of the Icicle River from the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.
(a) Daily limit two hatchery Chinook. Mandatory retention of adipose fin clipped Chinook applies.
(b) Anglers must release adipose present Chinook unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
(c) Anglers must release all Chinook with one or more round 1/4 inch diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.
(d) No gear restrictions. Night closure is in effect.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-310-19500T
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Wenatchee River.