[Order 22-171—Filed August 17, 2022, 5:05 p.m., effective August 19, 2022]

Effective Date of Rule: August 19, 2022.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to make it unlawful to possess Chinook onboard a vessel in Catch Record Card Area 2 on days Chinook retention is closed (Fridays and Saturdays).

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500L; and amending WAC 220-313-075.

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 needed to extend Chinook season lengths in Catch Record Card Area 1. Pressure from anglers traveling to Catch Record Card Area 1 for Chinook from Catch Record Card Area 2 threatens to shorten Chinook retention and salmon seasons in Area 1. Closing Chinook possession on days closed to Chinook retention in Area 2 will allow salmon seasons in Area 1 to remain open as long as possible. In addition, closing Chinook retention in Area 2 altogether, beginning August 23, will allow significant angling opportunity later into the season for the substantial coho quota (62,160) in the area. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 17, 2022.

WAC 220-313-07500MPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.

Effective August 19, through October 8, 2022 the provisions of WAC 220-313-075 regarding recreational salmon seasons for Marine Areas 1 through 4 shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-075 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended:

(1) Catch Record Card Area 1: Open immediately, through September 30, 2022:

(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(b) Release wild coho.

(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(e) That portion of Area 1 north of 46°15'N and east of 124°08'40"W is closed to fishing for salmon.

(2) Catch Record Card Area 2: Open immediately, through September 30, 2022:

(a) August 18, through August 22, 2022:

(i) Open Sundays through Thursdays:

(A) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.

(B) Release wild coho.

(D) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(ii) Open Fridays and Saturdays:

(A) Daily limit of 2 salmon.

(B) Release Chinook and wild coho.

(D) Possession of Chinook onboard a vessel, including in transit, is unlawful.

(b) August 23, through September 30, 2022:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.

(ii) Release Chinook and wild coho.

(iii) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(iv) Possession of Chinook onboard a vessel, including in transit, is unlawful.

(3) Catch Record Card Area 3:

(a) Open immediately, through September 30, 2022:

(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook

(ii) Release wild coho.

(iii) Release chum beginning August 1.

(iv) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.

(v) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(b) Open October 5 through October 8, 2022 only in the area north of 47°50'00N. lat. and south of 48°00'00"N. lat.:

(i) Daily limit 2 Chinook salmon only.

(ii) Release all salmon except Chinook.

(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.

(4) Catch Record Card Area 4: Open immediately, through September 30, 2022:

(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook

(b) Release chum and wild coho.

(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(e) Chinook retention prohibited in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.

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.

The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective August 19, 2022:

Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (22-143)