WSR 17-15-019 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-148—Filed July 7, 2017, 8:54 a.m., effective July 8, 2017] Effective Date of Rule: July 8, 2017.
Purpose: Amend recreational salmon fishing rules on upper Columbia River and tributaries.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-05000M, 220-312-06000L and 220-312-06000I; and amending WAC 220-312-050 and 220-312-060.
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 necessary because a revised sockeye salmon forecast of one hundred thousand is half of the preseason forecast; all remaining sockeye should be directed towards escapement and hatchery broodstock. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 3.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 7, 2017.
Nate Pamplin
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000P Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-050, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) Chelan River (Chelan Co.): When open for salmon, release sockeye.
(2) Okanogan River (Okanogan Co.):
(a) Effective immediately through August 15, 2017, in those waters from mouth to Hwy. 97 Bridge immediately upstream of mouth it is permissible to retain hatchery trout. Min. size 12". Daily limit 10 hatchery TROUT. Barbless hooks required.
(b) When open for salmon, release sockeye.
(3) Similkameen River (Okanogan Co.): When open for salmon, release sockeye.
(4) Wenatchee River (Chelan Co): When open for salmon, release coho and sockeye.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000N Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) From Washington/Oregon Border to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco:
(a) Effective immediately through July 31, 2017; salmon and steelhead: daily limit of 6, up to 2 may be adult salmon or 1 adult salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(b) Effective August 1 through September 15, 2017; salmon and steelhead: daily limit of 6, up to 2 may be adult salmon or 1 adult salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho.
(c) All species: night closure except for anglers enrolled in the Pikeminnow Reward Program and targeting pikeminnow.
(2) From the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge in Richland:
(a) Effective immediately through August 15, 2017; daily limit of 4 salmon, of which no more than 1 may be an adult hatchery Chinook. Release wild adult Chinook and sockeye.
(b) Effective August 16 through September 15, 2017; daily limit of 6 salmon, up to 2 may be adults. Release sockeye.
(3) From the Interstate 182 Bridge in Richland to Priest Rapids Dam:
(a) Effective immediately through August 15, 2017; daily limit of 6 salmon, of which no more than 2 may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult Chinook and sockeye.
(b) Effective August 16 through September 15, 2017; daily limit of 6 salmon, up to 2 may be adults. Release sockeye.
(4) From Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam: When open for salmon, release sockeye.
(5) From Wells Dam to the Hwy 173 Bridge at Brewster:
(a) Effective July 16 through August 15, 2017: it is permissible to retain hatchery trout. Min. size 12". Daily limit 10 hatchery TROUT. Barbless hooks required.
(b) When open for salmon, release sockeye.
(6) From the Hwy 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam:
(a) Effective immediately through August 15, 2017: it is permissible to retain hatchery trout. Min. size 12". Daily limit 10 hatchery TROUT. Barbless hooks required.
(b) When open for salmon, release sockeye.
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
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