WSR 16-14-032 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 16-162—Filed June 27, 2016, 3:39 p.m., effective June 28, 2016] Effective Date of Rule: June 28, 2016.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Columbia River.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-20000P and 220-310-20000V; and amending WAC 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: This emergency rule is needed to open the sockeye fishery because the run has exceeded the preseason forecast of 102,000 fish returning to the river mouth (currently ~240,000 at Bonneville through June 26, 2016, with the total return now projected to reach 400,000). Barring extreme high water temperatures like 2015 that caused unprecedented prespawning mortality, sufficient escapement of fish to meet spawning needs in the Wenatchee and Okanogan rivers should be realized. Opening these areas for sockeye fishing 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 27, 2016.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-20000V Exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-200:
(1) Effective June 28 through August 15, 2016:
(a) It is permissible to fish for salmon in waters of the Columbia River from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge in Richland.
(b) Daily limit of three salmon, of which no more than one may be adult hatchery Chinook and no more than two may be sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook.
(2) Effective June 28 through August 15, 2016:
(a) It is permissible to fish for salmon in waters of the Columbia River from the Interstate 182 Bridge in Richland to Priest Rapids Dam.
(b) Daily limit of six salmon, of which no more than two may be adult hatchery Chinook and no more than three may be sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective June 28, 2016:
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 16, 2016:
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