WSR 20-06-017

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 20-35—Filed February 21, 2020, 9:38 a.m., effective March 1, 2020]

Effective Date of Rule: March 1, 2020.

Purpose: Amends recreational fishing rules for southwest rivers.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: 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 close salmon fishing for the Cowlitz River, Lewis River, Cispus River and Lake Scanewa, reduce the daily adult salmon limit for the Kalama River.

The 2020 Cowlitz River spring Chinook run forecast is one thousand four hundred adult fish. Based on this forecast, the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery is not expected to meet its broodstock goals. Closing the Chinook salmon fishing season in the lower Cowlitz River will increase the number of hatchery fish available for broodstock and help ensure future hatchery returns. Based on the forecast, we do not expect to have hatchery Chinook to transport above Cowlitz Falls Dam to support an upper Cowlitz River salmon fishery.

The 2020 Kalama River spring Chinook forecast is one thousand adult fish. Managers need to reduce the adult salmon daily limit to one adult Chinook in order to ensure hatchery broodstock goals are achieved. Reducing the adult salmon daily limit will provide continued opportunity for anglers to harvest spring Chinook and help ensure future hatchery returns. The 2020 Lewis River spring Chinook run forecast is one thousand three hundred adult fish. Based on this forecast, the Lewis Hatchery is not expected to meet its broodstock goals. Closing the salmon fishing season in the Lewis River will increase the number of hatchery fish available for broodstock and help ensure future hatchery returns. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 21, 2020.

Amy H. Windrope

for Kelly Susewind

Director