WSR 18-09-016 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 18-59—Filed April 10, 2018, 9:39 a.m., effective April 29, 2018, 4:48 a.m.] Effective Date of Rule: April 29, 2018, 4:48 a.m. Purpose: Amends recreational sturgeon fishing rules in the Columbia River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000X; and amending WAC 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 rule is needed because hatchery-origin white sturgeon residing in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs since the early 2000s are abundant and have grown to a harvestable size. Removal of these hatchery-origin fish is consistent with ongoing actions to rebuild depressed populations of wild-origin white sturgeon in Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs. 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 Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 10, 2018. James B. Scott, Jr. for Joe Stohr
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000E Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-06000C, WAC 220-312-060, WAC 220-316-010, and WAC 220-220-160, the following rules apply effective 4:48 a.m. April 29, 2018, until further notice:
(1) Retention of white sturgeon is prohibited in the Dalles Pool. Catch and release continues to be allowed in the Dalles Pool.
(2) Retention of white sturgeon is prohibited in Bonneville Pool. Catch and release continues to be allowed in Bonneville Pool.
(3) Retention of white sturgeon is prohibited in John Day Pool. Catch and release continues to be allowed in John Day Pool.
(4) From Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam:
(a) Daily limit 2 white sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length.
(b) No annual harvest limit of white sturgeon.
(c) Anglers are not required to record sturgeon on a catch record card.
(d) Catch and release fishing is allowed after the daily limit has been retained.
(e) Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish for sturgeon with two lines.
Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 4:48 a.m. April 29, 2018:
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