WSR 21-14-023
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 21-105—Filed June 28, 2021, 2:13 p.m., effective July 1, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2021.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to set salmon seasons for the upper Columbia [River] from Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam and upper Columbia River tributaries according to seasons agreed to during the 2021/2022 North of Falcon season setting process.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000S and 220-312-05000V; and amending WAC 220-312-060 and 220-312-050.
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: Summer Chinook and sockeye returns to the upper Columbia River and tributaries are forecasted to be sufficient to provide this recreational opportunity. This action is consistent with comanager agreements reached in April during the North of Falcon season-setting process. These rules are interim until permanent rules take effect.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 28, 2021.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000SFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Effective July 1 through August 15, 2021, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060 and WAC 220-220-160 regarding recreational salmon seasons and Two-pole angling from the Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-060 and WAC 220-220-160 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) From Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam: Effective July 1 through August 15, 2021: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adult Chinook and up to 2 sockeye may be retained. Release wild adult Chinook and Coho.
(2) From Wells Dam to Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster: Effective July 16 through August 15, 2021: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adult Chinook and up to 2 sockeye may be retained. Release wild adult Chinook and Coho.
(3) From Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to the Corps of Engineers safety marker on the Douglas County shore to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek: Effective July 1 through August 15, 2021:
(a) Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adult Chinook and up to 2 sockeye may be retained. Release wild adult Chinook and Coho.
(b) Two-pole fishing is allowed with a valid Two-pole endorsement.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000VFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Effective July 1 through August 15, 2021, the provisions of WAC 220-312-050 regarding recreational salmon seasons for the waters listed below, shall be modified as described. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-050 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) Chelan River from the railroad bridge to the Chelan P.U.D. safety barrier below the powerhouse: Effective July 16 through August 15, 2021:
(a) Daily limit 6. Up to 2 hatchery adult Chinook may be retained. Release sockeye, coho, and wild adult Chinook.
(b) Anti-snagging rule in effect.
(c) Night Closure in effect.
(2) Entiat River from the mouth to boundary markers located approximately 1500 feet upstream of the Upper Roaring Creek Rd. Bridge: Effective July 16 through August 15, 2021:
(a) Daily limit 6 Chinook. Release all other salmon
(b) Night Closure in effect.
(3) Okanogan River:
(a) From the mouth to Hwy. 97 Bridge at Oroville: Effective July 1 through August 15, 2021:
(i) Daily limit 6. Up to 2 hatchery adult Chinook may be retained. Release sockeye, coho, and wild adult Chinook.
(ii) Anti-snagging rule in effect.
(iii) Night Closure in effect.
(4) Similkameen River from the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam: Effective July 1 through August 15, 2021:
(a) Daily limit 6. Up to 2 hatchery adult Chinook may be retained. Release sockeye, coho, and wild adult Chinook.
(b) Anti-snagging rule in effect.
(c) Night Closure in effect.
(5) Wenatchee River from mouth to Icicle Rd. Bridge: Effective August 1 through August 15:
(a) Daily limit 6. Up to 2 hatchery adult Chinook may be retained. Release sockeye, coho, and wild adult Chinook.
(b) Night Closure in effect.
(c) Selective Gear Rules in effect, except use of bait is allowed.
REPEALER
The following sections of Washington Administrative Code are repealed effective August 16, 2021:
WAC 220-312-06000S | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. |
WAC 220-312-05000V | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside. |