WSR 22-13-073
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-102—Filed June 9, 2022, 3:19 p.m., effective June 16, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: June 16, 2022.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open recreational sockeye seasons in a portion of the Skagit River.
This rule also maintains salmon seasons for the Skagit River, Cascade River, and Nooksack River, North Fork that were originally set in WSR 22-12-021 on May 28, 2022, WSR 22-13-004 on June 1, 2022, and WSR 22-13-057 on June 8, 2022, respectively.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000D; 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: Harvestable numbers of sockeye are forecast to return to the Baker system. Sockeye harvest in the river fishery will be limited to 20 percent of state share. The remaining 80 percent will be reserved for Baker Lake opportunity. The split was agreed to between anglers during public sockeye workshops held in 2014 and 2015. Current river sport share is over 1,600 fish, but exact number could change with in-season run-size updates.
Periodic closures to prevent conflicts with tribal fisheries are expected. In-season closures will be announced as soon as possible.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 9, 2022.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000EFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective June 16 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 30, 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.):
(a) From Hwy. 536 Bridge (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) in Mt. Vernon to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete: Salmon: Effective June 16 through July 15, 2022:
(i) Daily limit 2 sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(ii) Night closure in effect.
(iii) Selective gear rules are not in effect when fishing for salmon.
(b) From Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge): Salmon: Effective immediately, through July 15, 2022:
(i) Daily limit 4 of which up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(ii) Night closure and Anti-snagging rule in effect.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:
WAC 220-312-04000D | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (22-99) |