WSR 15-17-029

EMERGENCY RULES

[Order 15-246—Filed August 10, 2015, 4:59 p.m., effective August 11, 2015]

Effective Date of Rule: August 11, 2015.

Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending 220-310-180.

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: Low waters are reducing the available holding habitat for spring Chinook and concentrating them into fewer and smaller pools. This makes them more vulnerable to fishing pressure. Spring Chinook will be holding in the north and south forks of the Newaukum River until September when spawning begins. Increased water temperatures and higher potential encounter rates subject these fish to stress, injury, or death. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 10, 2015.

J. W. Unsworth

Director