WSR 17-17-046 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-192—Filed August 10, 2017, 2:36 p.m., effective August 18, 2017] Effective Date of Rule: August 18, 2017. Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules on the Snake River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-05000K; and amending WAC 220-312-050. 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 the 2017 Columbia River forecasted return of upriver bright adults is two hundred sixty thousand, with a significant portion of these fish expected to return to the Snake River. Retention of hatchery fall Chinook is not expected to increase impacts to Endangered Species Act listed wild fall Chinook. Therefore, adipose clipped hatchery fall Chinook and all jack Chinook can be retained in the Snake River. 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 Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 10, 2017. J. W. Unsworth Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000K Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-050,
(1) Snake River – Effective August 18, 2017 through October 31, 2017, open for salmon from the Burbank-to-Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25 upstream to the Oregon State line:
(a) Daily limit of six adipose fin clipped Chinook adults (24 inches in length and larger), and 6 jack Chinook (less than 24 inches). Minimum size for Chinook is 12 inches.
(b) Anglers must cease fishing for salmon and steelhead once either the daily limit for adult salmon or steelhead has been retained.
(c) Release all wild adult Chinook.
(d) Barbless hooks are required when fishing for Chinook or steelhead.
(e) It is unlawful to remove any Chinook or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily limit.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective November 1, 2017:
| ||||