WSR 15-13-010 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-163—Filed June 4, 2015, 3:33 p.m., effective June 13, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: June 13, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-310-195.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 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: Based on the preseason run prediction for upper Grande Ronde River spring chinook populations, there are sufficient numbers of returning fish to support a sport fishery for hatchery origin fish. Consistent with the joint Washington department of fish and wildlife and Oregon department of fish and wildlife Grande Ronde fish management and evaluation plan, and federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) permits, a fishery will be open June 13 on the lower Grande Ronde River in Washington. This will be a concurrent fishery with Oregon. Inseason run updates, estimates of harvest, and ESA impacts will determine the duration of this fishery. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 4, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500Z Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-195, effective June 13, 2015, until further notice:
(1) It is permissible to fish in waters of the Grande Ronde River from the mouth of Buford Creek (approximately 1/2 mile downstream of the Highway 129 Bridge at Boggan's Oasis) upstream to the Washington/Oregon state line.
(2) Daily limit 7 hatchery Chinook, of which no more than two may be adult hatchery Chinook salmon. Immediately release all wild (non-adipose fin clipped) Chinook, steelhead and all bull trout with care. Chinook minimum size is 12 inches.
(3) Anglers must cease fishing when the adult daily limit has been retained.
(4) Barbless hooks only, bait use allowed when fishing for all species during times and in locations open for salmon fishing and retention.
(5) It is unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8-inch (point of hook to shank) when fishing for all species.
(6) Night closure is in effect for salmon.
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