WSR 22-13-004
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-90—Filed June 1, 2022, 3:54 p.m., effective June 1, 2022, 3:54 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open salmon seasons in Cascade River seven days per week. This rule also maintains salmon seasons for the North Fork Nooksack River and Skagit River that were originally set in WSR 22-12-021 on May 28, 2020.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000B; and 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 fishery was previously scheduled to be open four days per week to prevent gear conflicts with treaty fishers. The treaty fishery has concluded; therefore, the closure days are no longer necessary. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 1, 2022.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000CFreshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound.
Effective immediately, through July 15, 2022, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding salmon seasons for the Cascade River, Nooksack River, North Fork, and Skagit River, shall be modified during the dates and in locations listed and described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Cascade River (Skagit Co.): From mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge: Salmon: Effective immediately, through July 15, 2022:
(a) Daily limit 4 of which up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(b) Night closure and Anti-snagging rule in effect.
(2) Nooksack River, North Fork (Whatcom Co.): From the Hwy. 9 Bridge to the yellow marker at the upstream side of the Kendall Hatchery: Salmon: Effective immediately, through June 12, 2022:
(a) Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(b) Night closure and Anti-snagging rule in effect.
(3) Skagit River (Skagit Co.):
From Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge): Salmon: Effective immediately, through July 15, 2022:
(a) Daily limit 4 of which up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(b) Night closure and Anti-snagging rule in effect.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:
WAC 220-312-04000B
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (22-79)