WSR 20-20-140
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-223—Filed October 7, 2020, 11:24 a.m., effective October 7, 2020, 11:24 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to increase the hatchery coho daily limit for the Skagit River, from the mouth to the Cascade River Road Bridge.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000U and 220-312-04000V; and amending WAC 220-312-040.
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 allow retention of two hatchery coho in addition to the daily salmon limit of two fish. On October 2, 2020, the Skagit comanagers agreed to an in-season run update from 40,607 to 86,887 coho. The return is sufficient to allow for this increase in the hatchery coho daily limit. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 7, 2020.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000VFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective immediately through October 31, 2020 the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding salmon seasons for the Skagit River from the mouth to the Cascade River Road Bridge, shall be as described below, except through 2:00 p.m. October 9, 2020 all species from Highway 9 Bridge to the mouth of the Baker River will be closed. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
Skagit River (Skagit Co.):
(1) From the mouth to Highway 9 Bridge: Salmon daily limit 2, plus 2 additional hatchery coho may be retained. Release Chinook and chum.
(2) From Highway 9 Bridge to the mouth of the Baker River:
(a) Immediately until 2:00 p.m. October 9, 2020: All species: Closed.
(b) From 2:01 p.m. October 9 through October 31, 2020: Salmon daily limit 2, plus 2 additional hatchery coho may be retained. Release Chinook and chum.
(3) From the mouth of the Baker River to the Cascade River Road Bridge (Marblemount Bridge): Salmon daily limit 2, plus 2 additional hatchery coho may be retained. Release Chinook and chum.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective immediately:
WAC 220-312-04000U | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (20-220) |
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective November 1, 2020:
WAC 220-312-04000V | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (20-223) |