WSR 18-20-068
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-269—Filed September 28, 2018, 9:12 a.m., effective October 1, 2018]
Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2018.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000Z; 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: The Columbia River steelhead run-size has been reduced to ninety-two thousand eight hundred A/B Index steelhead from the preseason forecast of one hundred eighty-two thousand four hundred fish. This emergency rule is needed to lower the steelhead daily limit to one fish in the lower Hanford Reach area and require the release of all steelhead except Ringold Springs-origin hatchery steelhead. Reduction of the daily limit to one Ringold Springs-origin hatchery steelhead (those marked by both an adipose and right ventral fin clip), will help us meet hatchery broodstock collection goals and still allow anglers steelhead opportunity. There 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 27, 2018.
James B. Scott, Jr.
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000AFreshwater 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:
(a) Mouth of the Columbia River from Buoy 10 to the HWY 395 Bridge at Pasco: Salmon and steelhead, immediately until further notice: Closed.
(b) HWY 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite powerline towers:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 31, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, up to 1 may be an adult.
(B) Release coho.
(ii) Steelhead, October 1 until further notice:
(A) Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead.
(B) Release all steelhead other than those marked by both a clipped adipose fin and clipped right ventral fin with healed over scars.
(c) The Old Hanford townsite powerline towers to Priest Rapids Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, up to 1 may be an adult.
(B) Release coho.
(ii) Steelhead, immediately until further notice: Release all steelhead.
(d) Rock Island Dam to Rocky Reach Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 3 sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release adult Chinook and coho.
(e) Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adult Chinook and 3 sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
(f) Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam:
(i) Salmon, immediately through October 15, 2018:
(A) Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adult Chinook and 3 Sockeye may be retained.
(B) Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective October 1, 2018:
WAC 220-312-06000Z
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (18-245)