WSR 21-18-127
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 21-169—Filed September 1, 2021, 11:37 a.m., effective September 16, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: September 16, 2021.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close fishing in a portion of the Wind River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-030.
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: A minimum escapement of 500 wild summer steelhead is needed to allow for the opening of a catch-and-release fishery above Shipherd Falls on September 16. Based upon the results of a recent snorkel survey in August, the wild summer steelhead return is projected to be far below the minimum objective. Summer steelhead returns have been low throughout the Columbia River basin this year.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 1, 2021.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-03000BFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.
Effective September 16 through November 30, 2021, the provisions of WAC 220-312-030 regarding angling seasons for Wind River, shall be modified during the dates and as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-030 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule.
Wind River (Skamania County): from 100 feet above Shipherd Falls upstream to Moore Bridge: All game fish: Effective immediately through November 30, 2021: Closed