WSR 19-14-064
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-144—Filed June 28, 2019, 11:30 a.m., effective July 1, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2019.
Purpose: Amends recreational fishing rules for southwest rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-03000W; and amending WAC 220-312-030.
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 department is in the process of adopting permanent rules that are necessary to implement the state's share of the fishing plans agreed to with resource comanagers at the 2019 North of Falcon proceedings. These emergency rules are necessary to meet conservation objectives and because the current permanent rule is inconsistent with the agreed 2019 North of Falcon fishery sharing package. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 28, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-03000WFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-030, effective July 1 through July 31, 2019:
(1) Cowlitz River (Cowlitz Co.): from the boundary markers at mouth to Lexington Bridge.
(a) Night closure for salmon and steelhead fishing only.
(b) Steelhead: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead: minimum length 20 inches.
(2) Drano Lake (Skamania Co.):
(a) Night closure for all species.
(b) Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 2 hatchery Chinook or 1 hatchery Chinook and 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all other salmon.
(3) Elochoman River (Wahkiakum Co.):
(a) Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(4) Grays River (Wahkiakum Co.):
(a) Salmon: Only hatchery Chinook may be retained.
(5) Grays River, West Fork (Wahkiakum Co.):
(a) Salmon: Only hatchery Chinook may be retained.
(6) Kalama River (Cowlitz Co.):
(a) From the mouth to railroad bridge below I-5:
i. Night closure for all species.
ii. Steelhead: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead: minimum length 20 inches.
(b) From the railroad bridge below Interstate 5 to Modrow Bridge: From Modrow Bridge downstream to the markers approximately 1,000 feet below the temporary rack when the rack is installed below Modrow Bridge: closed waters.
(7) Klickitat River (Klickitat Co.): From the mouth to Fisher Hill bridge:
(a) Night closure for all species.
(b) Steelhead: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead: minimum length 20 inches.
(8) Lewis River (Clark/Cowlitz Co.):
(a) From mouth to the mouth of the East Fork Lewis River.
i. Night closure for salmon and steelhead fishing.
ii. Steelhead: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead: minimum length 20 inches.
(b) From Eagle Cliff Bridge up to and including Muddy River, including tributaries.
i. Selective gear rules.
ii. Open through July 15.
iii. Game fish: statewide minimum length/daily limit, except
1. Steelhead: release all steelhead
2. Trout: Daily limit 10; minimum length 8 inches. Release wild trout.
(c) From above Muddy River to the lower falls and tributaries:
i. Selective gear rules.
ii. Release all fish.
(9) Swift Reservoir (Skamania Co.): from dam to posted markers approximately 3/8 mile below Eagle Cliff Bridge
(a) Salmon
i. Salmon count toward trout daily limit.
ii. Minimum length 8 inches.
iii. No catch record card required.
(10) Washougal River (Clark Co.):
(a) From the mouth to the boat ramp at the WDFW county line access site:
(i) From 1,000 feet (or posted markers) below to 200 feet above the temporary weir when the weir is installed in the river: Closed waters.
(ii) Night closure.
(iii) July 1, 2019 until further notice: Anti-snagging rule.
(b) From the boat ramp at the WDFW county line access site to the bridge at Salmon Falls:
(i) From 1,000 feet (or posted markers) below to 200 feet above the temporary weir when the weir is installed in the river: Closed waters.
(11) White Salmon River (Klickitat/Skamania counties): from the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge) to the county road bridge below the former location of the powerhouse:
(a) Night closure for salmon and steelhead.
(b) Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 2; no more than 2 salmon or 1 salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead. Release wild Chinook.
(12) Wind River (Skamania Co.): From the mouth to 400 feet below Shipherd Falls:
(a) Night closure for salmon and steelhead fishing.
(b) Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 adult salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead. Release wild Chinook and wild coho.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 1, 2019:
WAC 220-312-03000W | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest. |