WSR 15-18-084

EMERGENCY RULES

[Order 15-293—Filed August 28, 2015, 4:30 p.m., effective September 1, 2015]

Effective Date of Rule: September 1, 2015.

Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 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: The continued presence of summer Chinook in the lower Hoh River necessitates extending the current protections for this depressed stock, including releasing all Chinook, and requiring selective gear to discourage targeting of Chinook. These requirements will remain in place until river flows increase sufficiently to enable the summer Chinook to move upriver. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 28, 2015.

J. W. Unsworth

Director