WSR 23-15-010
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-115—Filed July 6, 2023, 2:57 p.m., effective July 6, 2023, 2:57 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to raise sockeye limits in the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000R; and amending WAC 220-312-060.
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 raise sockeye limits in the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River.
The U.S. v. Oregon technical advisory committee updated the sockeye salmon run from 234,500 preseason to approximately 331,000. At this updated run size, there are additional Sockeye available for harvest in the Columbia River upstream of the Snake River.
This emergency rule also maintains lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead rules, previously filed in WSR 23-14-074 (Order 23-107), filed June 29, 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 6, 2023.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000SFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Effective immediately, through August 15, 2023, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060 regarding recreational salmon and steelhead seasons from the Megler-Astoria Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam, shall be modified as described below, except in areas closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead year-round in WAC 220-312-060. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-060 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) From the Megler-Astoria Bridge upstream to The Dalles Dam: Salmon and steelhead:
Effective immediately, through July 31, 2023: Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which up to 1 may be a hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery jack Chinook, sockeye and hatchery steelhead.
(2) From The Dalles Dam upstream to a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300' upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington southern shore located approximately 200' above the fish ladder exit: Salmon and steelhead:
Effective immediately, until further notice: Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.
(3) From a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300' upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore located approximately 200' above the fish ladder exit upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco: Salmon and steelhead:
Effective immediately, through July 31, 2023: Daily limit 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which up to 1 may be a hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery jack Chinook, sockeye and hatchery steelhead.
(4) From Columbia Point (approximately 1/3 mile downstream of I-182 Bridge) upstream to I-182 Bridge: Salmon:
(a) Effective immediately through July 15, 2023: Closed to angling from a floating device or by any method except hand-cast lines from the west shore (Richland side of the river).
(b) Effective immediately, through July 15, 2023: Daily limit 6, no more than 4 sockeye may be retained. Release all salmon other than jack Chinook and sockeye.
(5) From I-182 Bridge upstream to Priest Rapids Dam: Salmon:
Effective immediately, through August 15, 2023: Daily limit 6, no more than 4 sockeye may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead other than jack Chinook and sockeye.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:
WAC 220-312-06000R | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (23-107) |