WSR 21-20-098
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 21-220—Filed October 1, 2021, 4:36 p.m., effective October 7, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: October 7, 2021.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to add additional recreational salmon retention season dates to the portions of the Skagit and Cascade rivers, and to add additional recreational fishing closure dates to that portion of the Skagit River from the Highway 9 Bridge in Sedro Woolley to the mouth of the Baker River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000J; 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 extend recreational salmon seasons and to avoid gear conflicts with treaty fisheries scheduled on dates listed for closures.
The extended salmon seasons are needed to make up for necessary closure dates and because recent test fisheries and catch observations indicate the coho return to be sufficient to allow for additional angling days.
The Washington department of fish and wildlife asks anglers to respect tribal fishers and not to interfere with tribal fisheries. Conflicts that arise during on-going fisheries may necessitate additional time and area closures in the future to reduce conflicts.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 1, 2021.
Nate Pamplin
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000PFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective October 7 through October 24, 2021 recreational fishing seasons for the Skagit River and Cascade River, shall be modified as follows, during dates listed below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Skagit River (Skagit County):
(a) From Highway 9 Bridge at Sedro Woolley to the Baker River: All recreational fishing is closed October 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, 2021.
(b) From mouth to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge): Recreational salmon fishing is open October 7 through October 24, except in areas and times listed in subsection (1) (a) of this rule:
(i) Daily limit 4, of which up to 2 may be coho. Release Chinook and chum.
(ii) Night Closure in effect.
(2) Cascade River (Skagit County): From the mouth to Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge:
Recreational salmon fishing is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from October 7 through October 23, 2021:
(a) Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than coho.
(b) Night Closure in effect.
(c) Anti-snagging Rule in effect.
(d) Closed Sundays and Mondays.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective October 7, 2021:
WAC 220-312-04000J | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (21-157) |