WSR 22-20-008
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-213—Filed September 21, 2022, 3:22 p.m., effective June 23, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: June 23, 2022.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open recreational salmon seasons in the lower Yakima River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-050.
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 salmon seasons in the Yakima River, from the Highway 240 bridge in Richland to the Grant Avenue Bridge in Prosser. Current fish passage through the Prosser Diversion indicates that fall Chinook and coho are expected to return in sufficient numbers to provide sport fishing opportunity for anglers in the lower Yakima River. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 21, 2022.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000XFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Effective September 23, through October 31, 2022, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-050 regarding salmon seasons in the Yakima River shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-050 not addressed herein, or otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
Yakima River (Benton County); from the Hwy. 240 bridge in Richland (river mile 2.1) upstream to Grant Avenue Bridge in Prosser (river mile 47.0), except year-round closure areas: Salmon:
(a) Open September 23 through October 31, 2022:
(b) Daily limit 2 adult salmon. No daily limit for jack salmon. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho.
(c) Barbless hooks required.
(d) Night Closure in effect.