[Order 20-93—Filed May 29, 2020, 1:59 p.m., effective June 1, 2020]

Effective Date of Rule: June 1, 2020.

Purpose: This rule is needed to close Drano Lake and Wind River salmon and steelhead seasons June 1, 2020, until further notice or until this rule expires on September 25, 2020, pursuant to RCW 34.05.350.

This rule also carries forward existing emergency rules that amend salmon rules for Cispus River, Cowlitz Falls Reservoir, Cowlitz River, Kalama River, Klickitat River, and Lewis River, until further notice or until their expiration as listed within the rule pursuant to RCW 34.05.350.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-03000J; 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 close recreational salmon and steelhead angling in the Wind River and Drano Lake. Returns of upriver spring Chinook to several hatchery facilities in the Columbia and Snake River basins are currently projected to fall below levels needed to meet broodstock collection goals. These facilities can utilize spring Chinook stocks collected at Little White Salmon and Carson National Fish Hatcheries for brood. Closing the Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries will provide additional fish for these hatchery facilities and help ensure future hatchery returns and fishing opportunities. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 29, 2020.

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

Effective June 1, 2020 and until further notice or until this rule expires on September 25, 2020 the provisions of WAC 220-312-030 regarding salmon and steelhead seasons for Cispus River, Cowlitz Falls Reservoir, Cowlitz River, Drano Lake, Kalama River, Klickitat River, Lewis River and Wind River shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-030 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended:

1) Cispus River (Lewis Co.): effective immediately until further notice or until this expires on June 20, 2020:

Chinook salmon: closed.

2) Cowlitz Falls Reservoir (Lake Scanewa) (Lewis Co.): effective immediately until further notice or until this expires on June 20, 2020:

Chinook salmon: closed.

3) Cowlitz River (Cowlitz Co.): effective immediately until further notice or until this expires on June 20, 2020:

Chinook salmon: closed.

4) Drano Lake (Skamania Co.): In the waters downstream of markers on point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of Highway 14 bridge, effective June 1 until further notice or until this expires on September 25, 2020:

Salmon and steelhead: closed.

5) Kalama River (Cowlitz Co.): From the mouth upstream to 1000 feet below the fishway at the upper salmon hatchery, effective immediately until further notice or until this expires on June 20, 2020:

Salmon: Daily limit 6; up to 1 may be an adult. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.

6) Klickitat River (Klickitat Co.):

(a) From the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad bridge) to Fisher Hill Bridge:

Salmon and steelhead; effective immediately until further notice or until this rule expires July 8, 2020:

Salmon: Daily limit 6, up to 1 adult may be retained. Release wild Chinook.

(b) From 400 feet upstream of #5 fishway to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery, until further notice or until this rule expires July 8, 2020:

Salmon: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult may be retained: Release wild Chinook.

7) Lewis River (Clark/Cowlitz Co.): effective immediately until further notice or until this expires on June 20, 2020:

Salmon: closed.

8) Wind River (Skamania Co.): From the mouth to 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery, effective June 1 until further notice or until this expires on September 25, 2020:

Salmon and steelhead: closed.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective June 1, 2020:

Southwest—Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules. (20-44)