WSR 20-01-078
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-305—Filed December 11, 2019, 3:07 p.m., effective December 12, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: December 12, 2019.
Purpose: Amends recreational fishing rules for the Hoko River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-02000Z; 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 rule is necessary to close all steelhead retention on the Hoko River. Preseason expectations of hatchery origin steelhead are low requiring the release of hatchery steelhead to meet hatchery broodstock goals. This rule change is made in conjunction with comanagers who have also closed their steelhead fishery on the river. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 11, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000ZFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coast.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-020:
1) Hoko River from mouth to 100 feet downstream of the hatchery ladder, effective December 12 through March 15, 2020: Release all steelhead.
2) Hoko River from hatchery fish ladder to cement bridge on Lake Ozette Hwy. (upper Hoko Bridge), effective December 12 through March 15, 2020: Release all steelhead.
3) Hoko River from upper Hoko Bridge to Ellis Creek Bridge (river mile 18.5), effective December 12 through March 31, 2020: Release all steelhead.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective March 31, 2020:
WAC 220-312-02000Z | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coast. |