[Order 21-124—Filed July 21, 2021, 9:59 a.m., effective July 24, 2021]

Effective Date of Rule: July 24, 2021.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to reduce the daily Chinook limit in Marine Area 4.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500A; and amending WAC 220-313-075.

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: The purpose of this rule is to reduce the daily limit to one Chinook per angler in Catch Record Card Area 4. While there are available Chinook remaining in the Area 4 quota, the recent closure of adjacent Catch Area 5 to Chinook retention is expected to lead to increased fishing effort and increased catch of Chinook in Area 4. Lowering the limit to one Chinook per angler will allow the Area 4 fishery to remain open further into the season without exceeding its quota.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 21, 2021.

WAC 220-313-07500BPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.

Effective July 24 through September 15, 2021 the provisions of WAC 220-313-075 regarding recreational salmon seasons for Marine Areas 1 through 4 shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-075 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended:

(1) Catch Record Card Area 1: Open immediately, through September 15, 2021:

(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(b) Release wild coho.

(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(2) Catch Record Card Area 2: Open immediately, through September 15, 2021:

(a) Open Sundays through Thursdays only (closed Fridays and Saturdays).

(b) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(d) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.

(e) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(f) June 19, 2021 through August 8, 2021 the Grays Harbor Control Zone is open. See WAC 220-306-040.

(3) Catch Record Card Area 3: Open immediately, through September 15, 2021:

(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon.

(b) Release wild coho.

(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(4) Catch Record Card Area 4:

(a) Open July 24 through July 31, 2021:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(ii) Release wild coho.

(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.

(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(v) Waters east of a true north-south line through Sail Rock are closed.

(b) Open August 1 through September 15, 2021:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(ii) Release wild coho and chum.

(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.

(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(v) No chinook retention in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.

Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective July 24, 2021:

Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (21-90)