WSR 15-24-019 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-427—Filed November 19, 2015, 2:44 p.m., effective November 20, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: November 20, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-310-195 and 220-310-200.
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 updated forecast to estimate steelhead abundance indicates that hatchery-origin steelhead in excess of desired escapement and ample numbers of natural-origin steelhead to implement a fishery will return to the above sections of the upper Columbia River and tributaries. The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Allowing retention of hatchery steelhead and rainbow trout will provide for additional angling 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 19, 2015.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500R Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
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) Wenatchee River: Effective November 20, 2015, until further notice, it is permissible to fish for steelhead from the mouth to the Icicle Road Bridge.
(2) Entiat River: Effective November 20, 2015, until further notice, it is permissible to fish for steelhead from the mouth to approximately one half mile upstream to a point perpendicular with the intersection of the Entiat River Road and Hedding Street.
(3) It is unlawful to violate the following provisions during the open times in the waters listed in this section:
(a) Night closure and selective gear rules are in effect.
(b) Daily limit:
(i) Two hatchery steelhead; 20 inch minimum size.
(ii) Five hatchery rainbow trout; less than 20 inches in total length.
(c) Mandatory retention of adipose fin clipped steelhead, except release all steelhead with a floy (anchor) tag attached or one or more round 1/4 inch in diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin. Adipose present steelhead must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
(d) Anglers must cease fishing for the day when the daily limit of two hatchery steelhead are obtained, regardless of the number of hatchery rainbow trout obtained.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-20000A Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-200, effective November 20, 2015, until further notice, it is permissible to fish for steelhead in the Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to the powerlines crossing the Columbia River at Doroga State Park.
(1) Night closure and selective gear rules are in effect, except bait is permissible.
(2) Daily limit:
(a) Two hatchery steelhead, 20 inch minimum size.
(b) Five hatchery rainbow trout, less than 20 inches in total length.
(3) Mandatory retention of adipose fin clipped steelhead, except release all steelhead with a floy (anchor) tag attached and/or one or more round 1/4 inch in diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin. Adipose present steelhead must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
(4) Anglers must cease fishing for the day when the daily limit of two (2) hatchery steelhead are obtained, regardless of the number of hatchery rainbow trout obtained.
|