WSR 17-13-066
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 17-120—Filed June 15, 2017, 4:07 p.m., effective July 1, 2017]
Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2017.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Hoh River.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-02000G; and amending WAC 220-312-020.
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: This emergency rule is needed because the department of fish and wildlife is in the process of adopting permanent rules that are necessary to implement the personal use fishing plans agreed-to with resource comanagers at the North of Falcon proceedings. These emergency rules are necessary to comply with agreed-to management plans, and are interim until permanent rules take effect. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 15, 2017.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000G Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesCoastal.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-020, effective July 1 through August 31, 2017, it is permissible to fish in those waters of the Hoh River and South Fork Hoh River outside the boundaries of Olympic National Park, the following rules apply:
(1) Daily limit of 2 trout over 14 inches, except no size limit on hatchery origin (adipose clipped) trout, and anglers are required to release wild (unclipped) rainbow trout.
(2) Use of bait is prohibited, and only one barbless hook with up to three points may be used. Anglers are required to release any Chinook and coho salmon encountered, and any wild steelhead.
(3) Fishing from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor is prohibited. Fishing for other game fish is open under statewide minimum size and daily limit regulations.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective September 1, 2017:
WAC 220-312-02000G
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesCoastal.