[Order 19-226—Filed September 19, 2019, 11:04 a.m., effective September 19, 2019]

Effective Date of Rule: September 19, 2019.

Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Washougal River.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-03000B; and amending WAC 220-312-030.

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 needed to increase the adult salmon daily limit and open hatchery steelhead retention in portions of the Washougal River. Hatchery broodstock collection for the Washougal fall Chinook program has been meeting weekly objectives and early indications are that the broodstock goal will be achieved. This action also expands steelhead fishing opportunity that had been restricted below the Washougal River weir to support fall Chinook broodstock collection efforts. Expanding retention of hatchery salmon and hatchery steelhead will provide additional angling opportunity while broodstock collection efforts continue. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 19, 2019.

WAC 220-312-03000CFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-030, effective September 19, 2019:

(1) Klickitat River (Klickitat Co.): From the mouth to Fisher Hill Bridge: Effective immediately through September 30, 2019: Release all steelhead.

(2) Toutle River, North Fork (Cowlitz Co.), from the mouth (confluence with South Fork) to posted markers downstream of the fish collection facility; salmon, effective immediately until further notice:

(a) Daily limit 6; up to 4 may be adults.

(b) Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.

(3) Washougal River (Clark/Skamania Co.), from the mouth to the bridge at Salmon Falls; effective immediately through December 31, 2019:

(a) Salmon: Daily limit 6. Up to 3 adult salmon may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.

(b) Steelhead: Daily limit 3 hatchery steelhead; minimum length 20 inches.

(4) White Salmon River (Klickitat/Skamania Co.): From the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge) to the county road bridge below the former location of the powerhouse: Effective immediately through September 30, 2019: Release all steelhead.

(5) Wind River (Skamania Co.):

(a) From the mouth to 400 feet downstream of Shipherd Falls fish ladder: Effective immediately through September 30, 2019: Release all steelhead.

(b) From 100 feet above Shipherd Falls to Moore Bridge: Effective immediately through November 30, 2019: Closed waters.

The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed effective September 19, 2019:

Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest. (19-218)

Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.