WSR 19-16-014
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-164—Filed July 25, 2019, 3:08 p.m., effective August 1, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: August 1, 2019.
Purpose: Amends recreational fishing rules for the Chehalis, Newaukum, and Skookumchuck rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-02000S; and amending WAC 220-312-020.
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 set openings of fishing seasons for the Chehalis River and select tributaries. Staggered openings are necessary to protect spring Chinook returning to the Chehalis system. The abundance of spring Chinook is far below the escapement goal of one thousand four hundred fish. As returning fish move farther upstream, it is possible to begin opening lower sections to angling while upstream and tributary closures achieve conservation objectives by protecting staging spring Chinook from fishing pressure.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 25, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000UFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coast.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-020:
(1) Chehalis River (Grays Harbor County):
(a) from South Elma Bridge (Wakefield Rd.) to Black River, including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways, effective August 1 through September 15, 2019: Closed Waters.
(b) from Black River upstream, effective August 1 through September 30: Closed Waters.
(2) Chehalis River, South Fork (Grays Harbor County), effective August 1 through September 30: Closed Waters.
(3) Newaukum River, including North and South Forks (Lewis County), effective August 1 through October 15, 2019: Closed Waters.
(4) Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston County), effective August 1 through October 15, 2019: Closed Waters.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 1, 2019:
WAC 220-312-02000S | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coast. (19-149) |