WSR 23-14-096
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-111—Filed June 30, 2023, 1:41 p.m., effective July 6, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: July 6, 2023.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to set temporary recreational fishing closure dates for a portion of the Skagit River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000I; 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: This rule is necessary to temporarily close a portion of the Skagit River to avoid gear conflicts with treaty fisheries.
This rule also maintains salmon seasons for Cascade and Skagit rivers set in WSR 23-14-022, filed on June 23, 2023.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 29, 2023.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000JFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective July 6, through July 15, 2023, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and regarding fishing seasons for portions of the Skagit River and Cascade River, shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Cascade River (Skagit Co.): From mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge: Salmon:
(a) Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(b) Night Closure in effect.
(c) Anti-snagging rule in effect.
(2) Skagit River (Skagit Co.):
(a) From Hwy. 536 Bridge (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) in Mt. Vernon to the Hwy. 9 Bridge in Sedro Woolley: Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 3 sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(ii) Night closure in effect.
(iii) Selective gear rules are not in effect for salmon.
(b) From the Hwy 9 Bridge in Sedro Woolley to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete:
(i) All species: July 6, 7, and 11, 2023: Closed Waters.
(ii) Salmon:
(A) Daily limit 3 sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(B) Night closure in effect.
(C) Selective gear rules are not in effect for salmon.
(D) Closed July 6, 7, and 11, 2023.
(c) From the Dalles Bridge at Concrete to the Baker River:
All species: July 6, 7, and 11, 2023: Closed Waters.
(d) From the Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge): Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(ii) Night Closure in effect.
(iii) Anti-snagging rule in effect.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective July 6, 2023:
WAC 220-312-04000I | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (23-103) |