WSR 20-21-059
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-231—Filed October 14, 2020, 4:30 p.m., effective October 15, 2020]
Effective Date of Rule: October 15, 2020.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to extend coho salmon seasons in the Skagit River through December 31, 2020. This rule will also close the Skagit River to recreational fishing from the Hwy. 9 Bridge to the Baker River, October 15 and 16, 2020.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000V and 220-312-04000W; 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 2 fish through December 31, 2020, and to close a portion of the Skagit River to avoid gear conflicts with tribal fishers October 15 and 16, 2020. The coho return is sufficient to allow for this extension of the increased 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 14, 2020.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000WFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective October 15 through December 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 from October 15 through October 16, 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) October 15 through October 16, 2020: All species: Closed.
(b) October 17 through December 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 October 15, 2020:
WAC 220-312-04000V | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (20-223) |
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective January 1, 2021:
WAC 220-312-04000W | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (20-231) |