WSR 22-22-019
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-248—Filed October 21, 2022, 10:00 a.m., effective October 21, 2022, 10:00 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Skagit and Cascade rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000S; 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: There is sufficient remaining state share of harvestable coho to sustain additional sport fishing opportunity. Incidental Chinook encounters remain within conservation guidelines. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 21, 2022.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000TFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective immediately until further notice, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding fishing seasons for the Cascade River and Skagit River shall be modified in locations listed, as described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040, not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Cascade River (Skagit County); from mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge:
(a) Use of bait (including scent or flavoring) is prohibited.
(b) Anti-snagging rules.
(c) Night closure.
(d) Closed to all fishing Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays until further notice.
(e) Daily limit 4 coho. Min. size 12". Release all other species.
(2) Skagit River (Skagit County):
(a) From the mouth (a line projected from the terminus of the jetty with McGlinn Island to the white monument on the easterly end of Ika Island, then to a white monument on the westerly end of Craft Island, then to a white monument near the corner of the levee on the westerly side of Dry Slough, and then to a white monument on the easterly side of Tom Moore Slough) to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge):
Effective immediately, until further notice: All species: Bait is prohibited.
(3) Skagit River From the mouth to Cascade River Rd. Bridge (Marblemount Bridge).
(a) Salmon
i. Minimum size 12"
ii. Daily limit 2
iii. Release Chinook and chum
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-312-04000S | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (22-236) |