WSR 16-01-031 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-441—Filed December 8, 2015, 2:08 p.m., effective December 10, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: December 10, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-18000I; and amending WAC 220-310-180.
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: An emergency rule is needed as the concerns about the predominate low flow conditions present in the Willapa Bay Basin earlier in the fall have subsided during the last few weeks with substantial amounts of rainfall. There is also a need to increase the effectiveness of the recreational steelhead fishery and their ability to remove hatchery steelhead from the system. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 8, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-18000M Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coast.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-180, effective December 10, 2015, until further notice, it is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess salmon taken by angling for personal use in Willapa Bay tributaries except:
(1) Naselle River (Pacific/Wahkiakum counties): Open for salmon only from the Highway 401 Bridge to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
(2) Willapa River (Pacific County): Open for salmon only from the Highway 6 Bridge to Fork Creek. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
(3) Fork Creek (Pacific County): Open for salmon. Salmon daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective December 10, 2015:
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