[Order 19-157—Filed July 12, 2019, 3:55 p.m., effective July 14, 2019]

Effective Date of Rule: July 14, 2019.

Purpose: Amend recreational salmon fishing rules for Catch Record Card Areas 3 and 4.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-07000N [220-313-07000N]; and amending WAC 220-312-070 [220-313-070].

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 rule is necessary to change Chinook daily limits in Catch Record Card Areas 3 and 4. These emergency rules are necessary to comply with agreed-to management plans. Catch Area 4 is expected to reach its Chinook guideline at current catch rates, which would require closure of the fishery in the area; this rule will extend the fishing season to provide opportunity to access harvestable coho in the area. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 12, 2019.

WAC 220-313-07000PCoastal salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-313-070, effective July 14, 2019 until further notice, it is unlawful to violate the provisions below. Unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:

(1) Catch Record Card Area 1:

(a) Open immediately until further notice:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(ii) Release wild coho.

(b) Closed in the Columbia River Mouth Control Zone 1 during all open periods. See WAC 220-313-020.

(2) Catch Record Card Area 2:

(a) Open immediately until further notice:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(ii) Release wild coho.

(iii) Beginning August 12, the Grays Harbor Control Zone is closed. Grays Harbor Control Zone – The area defined by a line drawn from the Westport Lighthouse (46°53.18'N latitude, 124°07.01'W longitude) to Buoy #2 (46°52.42'N latitude, 124°12.42'W longitude) to Buoy #3 (46°55.00'N latitude, 124°14.48'W longitude) to the Grays Harbor north jetty (46°55.36'N latitude, 124°10.51'W longitude).

(3) Willapa Bay (Catch Record Card Area 2-1):

(a) Immediately through July 31: Open concurrent with Area 2 when Area 2 is open for salmon angling. Area 2 rules apply.

(4) Grays Harbor (Catch Record Card Area 2-2 east of the Buoy 13 line):

(a) Immediately through July 31: Closed.

(5) Grays Harbor (Catch Record Card Area 2-2 west of the Buoy 13 line):

(a) Immediately through August 11: Open concurrent with Area 2 when Area 2 is open for salmon angling. Area 2 rules apply.

(b) August 12 until further notice: Closed.

(6) Catch Record Card Area 3:

(a) Open immediately until further notice:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.

(ii) Effective July 15, no more than one Chinook may be retained as part of the daily limit.

(iii) Release wild coho.

(7) Catch Record Card Area 4:

(a) Open immediately until further notice:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.

(ii) Release wild coho.

(iii) Release Chinook and wild coho beginning July 14.

(iv) Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum salmon beginning August 1.

(v) Waters east of a true north-south line through Sail Rock are closed through July 31

(vi) No chinook retention in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line beginning August 1.

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.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective July 14, 2019:

Coastal salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (19-153)