WSR 21-19-069
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 21-191—Filed September 14, 2021, 4:12 p.m., effective September 15, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: September 15, 2021.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open recreational salmon seasons in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-040.
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: This emergency rule is necessary to open recreational salmon seasons in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. This area had been closed under a comanager agreement to protect Lake Washington coho salmon, which have had poor returns in recent years. Early season fish counts at the Ballard Locks indicate that the coho return is strong enough to support a recreational fishery for coho salmon in Lake Washington. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 14, 2021.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000KFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective September 15 through October 31, 2021, provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding salmon seasons Lake Washington (King County) and Lake Sammamish (King County) shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
(1) Lake Washington (King County):
Waters north of the Hwy. 520 Bridge and east of the Montlake Bridge, including that portion of the Sammamish River from 68th Ave. NE Bridge downstream:
Salmon: Open September 15 through October 31, 2021: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than coho.
(2) Lake Sammamish (King County):
Salmon: Open October 1 through October 31, 2021: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than coho.
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.