WSR 16-20-036
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 16-262—Filed September 28, 2016, 9:22 a.m., effective October 1, 2016]
Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2016.
Purpose: Amend Columbia River recreational fishing rules for sturgeon.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-20000F; and amending WAC 220-310-200.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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: Harvestable surplus of hatchery-origin white sturgeon still remain in both reservoirs. Removal of these hatchery-origin fish is consistent with ongoing actions to rebuild depressed populations of wild-origin white sturgeon in Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs. Extending the season and increasing the sturgeon daily limit will provide 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 28, 2016.
James B. Scott, Jr.
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-20000F Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-200, effective October 1 through November 30, 2016, it is permissible to fish for sturgeon in waters of Priest Rapids Reservoir (from Priest Rapids Dam to Wanapum Dam) and Wanapum Reservoir (from Wanapum Dam to Rock Island Dam).
(1) Daily limit of three (3) sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length may be harvested from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs only.
(2) No annual harvest limit of sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs only.
(3) Anglers are not required to record sturgeon harvested from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs on a Catch Record Card. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs after the daily limit is harvested.
(4) Any sturgeon not to be harvested must be released immediately. Oversized sturgeon cannot be removed totally or in part from the water.
(5) Night fishing for sturgeon is prohibited. Only one single-point barbless hook and bait is allowed while fishing for sturgeon.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective December 1, 2016:
WAC 220-310-20000F
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.