WSR 22-21-084
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-239—Filed October 13, 2022, 2:28 p.m., effective October 16, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: October 16, 2022.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close Dungeness River and Gray Wolf River recreational fisheries.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-020.
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 close Dungeness River and Gray Wolf River recreational fisheries. Unseasonably dry weather has resulted in extreme low water conditions in the Dungeness River system. This closure is necessary to protect fish that are unable to move upstream to their spawning grounds, as well as existing Chinook redds. Fishery comanagers will continue to monitor river conditions to help ensure spawning needs are met and reopen fishing when able. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 13, 2022.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000VFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-020, effective October 16, 2022, until further notice, the waters of the Dungeness Gray Wolf rivers described herein are closed to fishing. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-020 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Dungeness River (Clallam Co.); from the mouth upstream: Closed waters.
(2) Gray Wolf River (Clallam Co.); from the mouth upstream: Closed waters.
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.