WSR 19-18-005
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-199—Filed August 22, 2019, 4:45 p.m., effective August 24, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: August 24, 2019.
Purpose: Amend recreational salmon and steelhead rules for the Snake River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-050.
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 needed to open salmon fishing in portions of the Snake River. The 2019 Columbia River forecasted return of upriver bright adults is 158,400, with a significant portion of these fish expected to return to the Snake River. Forecasts indicate sufficient returns of adult hatchery fall Chinook and jack Chinook exist to allow for this fishery. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 22, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000MFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-050: Snake River; effective August 24 through October 31, 2019:
(a) From the mouth (Burbank to Pasco Railroad Bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to Lower Granite dam:
(i) Hooks must be barbless when fishing for salmon or steelhead.
(ii) Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after the adult salmon daily limit or steelhead daily limit has been retained.
(iii) Salmon:Daily limit 6 hatchery adult Chinook, no daily limit for any jack Chinook. Release all other salmon.
(b) From the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore) upstream to the ID/OR border.
(i) Hooks must be barbless when fishing for salmon or steelhead.
(ii) Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after the adult salmon daily limit or steelhead daily limit has been retained.
(iii) Salmon:Daily limit 6 hatchery adult Chinook, no daily limit for any jack Chinook. Release all other salmon.
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.