[Order 22-257—Filed October 28, 2022, 3:51 p.m., effective October 28, 2022, 3:51 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open recreational chum salmon retention in Catch Record Card Areas 10 and 11.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing 220-313-06000J; and amending WAC 220-313-060.

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 rule is necessary to open recreational harvest seasons for chum salmon in Catch Record Card Areas 10 and 11. The in-season estimate of chum returns to Puget Sound indicate that there are sufficient returning numbers to allow for recreational harvest in most areas of Catch Record Card Areas 10 and 11. Sinclair Inlet and Commencement Bay areas remain closed to chum retention. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 28, 2022.

WAC 220-313-06000KPuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.

Effective immediately, until further notice, salmon retention rules and weekly open periods for Catch Record Card Areas 10 and 11 shall be modified during times and in areas described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-060 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:

(1) Marine Area 10: Salmon:

Entire Area except waters of Sinclair Inlet and Port Orchard south of the Manette Bridge in Bremerton, south of a line true west from Battle Point, and west of a line drawn true south from Point White:

Immediately through October 31, 2022: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook.

(2) Marine Area 11: Salmon:

(a) Entire area except waters of Commencement Bay east of a line from the Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock, Dash Point Dock, Les Davis Pier, Des Moines Pier, Redondo Pier, and Point Defiance Boathouse Dock:

(i) Immediately through October 31, 2022: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook.

(ii) November 1 through December 31, 2022:

(A) Open Sunday through Wednesday each week. Closed Thursdays through Saturdays.

(B) Daily limit 2. Up to 1 hatchery Chinook may be retained. Release coho and wild Chinook.

(b) Waters of Commencement Bay east of a line from the Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock:

(i) Immediately through October 31, 2022: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum.

(ii) November 1 through December 31, 2022:

(A) Open Sunday through Wednesday each week. Closed Thursdays through Saturdays.

(B) Daily limit 2. Up to 1 hatchery Chinook may be retained. Release coho, chum and wild Chinook.

Immediately through December 31: Open daily. Daily limit 2. Up to 1 Chinook may be retained.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:

Puget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (22-253)