WSR 18-15-003
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-154—Filed July 5, 2018, 3:18 p.m., effective July 7, 2018]
Effective Date of Rule: July 7, 2018.
Purpose: Amend recreational salmon fishing rules for Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000L; and amending WAC 220-312-060.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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 action closes adult Chinook retention below Priest Rapids Dam based on an updated runsize of summer Chinook passage of forty-four thousand at Bonneville Dam. The updated runsize of summer Chinook is thirty-five percent below the preseason forecast. This reduction in the runsize decreases the allowable catch for each fishery and has already been achieved in fisheries below Priest Rapids Dam. The fishery is consistent with the U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement and the associated biological opinion. This action conforms Washington state rules with Oregon state rules. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 5, 2018.
Joe Stohr
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000NExceptions to statewide rulesColumbia 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:
(a) From the Megler-Astoria Bridge upstream to HWY 395 Bridge at Pasco:
(i) Salmon and Steelhead, effective July 7 through July 31, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adult salmon or hatchery steelhead or 1 of each may be retained.
(B) Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(b) From HWY 395 Bridge at Pasco to Priest Rapids Dam:
(i) Salmon, effective July 7 through August 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained.
(B) Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(c) Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam:
(i) Salmon, effective July 7 until further notice:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 4 adults may be retained of which up to 2 may be adult hatchery Chinook and up to 2 may sockeye.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(d) Wells Dam to HWY 173 at Brewster:
(i) Salmon, effective July 16 until further notice:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 4 adults may be retained of which up to 2 may be adult hatchery Chinook and up to 2 may sockeye.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
(e) HWY 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam:
(i) Salmon, effective July 7 until further notice:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 4 adults may be retained of which up to 2 may be adult hatchery Chinook and up to 2 may sockeye.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
(C) Salmon minimum length is 12 inches.
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 July 7, 2018:
WAC 220-312-06000L
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (18-141)