WSR 20-15-004
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-127—Filed July 1, 2020, 3:33 p.m., effective July 4, 2020]
Effective Date of Rule: July 4, 2020.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule is open summer Chinook seasons in the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River (from I-182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000Q; and amending WAC 220-312-060.
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 summer Chinook seasons in the Columbia River from the I-182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam. The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) updated the summer Chinook run from a preseason value of thirty-eight thousand to sixty-five thousand. At this updated run size there are more surplus hatchery fish available for harvest. The TAC is comprised of representatives from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the treaty tribes and are responsible for developing preseason and inseason run forecasts that salmon seasons are based on. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 1, 2020.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000QFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia
Effective July 4 through July 31, 2020, provisions of WAC 220-312-060 regarding Columbia River salmon and steelhead seasons from the Interstate 182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam are modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-060 not addressed herein or otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect.
From the Interstate 182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam:
Salmon: Effective July 4 through July 31, 2020: Daily limit is 2 salmon. Release coho and wild adult Chinook.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 1, 2020:
WAC 220-312-06000Q | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia |