WSR 18-09-056 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 18-68—Filed April 13, 2018, 3:57 p.m., effective April 13, 2018, 3:57 p.m.] Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for white sturgeon on the Columbia River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000X and 220-312-06000E; 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 emergency rule is needed to allow a limited harvest of sturgeon in the estuary and to allow the summer sturgeon retention season in the Bonneville Pool, The Dalles Pool, and adjacent tributaries. This rule will provide for 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 Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 2. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 13, 2018. Joe Stohr Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000G Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-06000C and WAC 220-312-060, it is unlawful to violate the provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) From Buoy 10 upstream to Wauna powerlines, including Youngs Bay, and all adjacent Washington tributaries:
(a) It is permissible to retain white sturgeon on the following dates: May 14, May 16, May 19, May 21, May 23, May 26, May 28, May 30, June 2, and June 4, 2018.
(i) The daily limit of white sturgeon is one fish between 44-inches minimum and 50-inches maximum fork length.
(ii) Closed to angling for sturgeon at 2:00 p.m. daily on dates open to sturgeon retention.
(b) Catch and release angling is permissible on days not open to sturgeon retention.
(2) From Bonneville Dam to Dalles Dam, including adjacent tributaries:
(a) Retention of white sturgeon is prohibited, except it is permissible to retain white sturgeon from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset June 15, 2018.
(i) On days open for sturgeon retention the daily limit of white sturgeon is one fish between 38-inches minimum and 54-inches maximum fork length.
(ii) Catch and release angling is permissible on days not open to sturgeon retention.
(3) From The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam, including adjacent tributaries:
(a) Retention of white sturgeon is prohibited, except it is permissible to retain white sturgeon from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset June 15, 2018.
(i) On days open for sturgeon retention the daily limit of white sturgeon is one fish between 44-inches minimum and 54-inches maximum fork length.
(ii) Catch and release angling is permissible on days not open to sturgeon retention.
(4) From John Day Dam to McNary Dam:
(a) Retention of white sturgeon is prohibited.
(b) Catch and release angling is permissible on days not open to sturgeon retention.
(5) From Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam; effective 4:48 a.m. April 29, 2018 until further notice:
(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.
(6) Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
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