WSR 23-22-023
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-235—Filed October 20, 2023, 12:08 p.m., effective October 23, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: October 23, 2023.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to temporarily open fishing seasons for the Skykomish River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000W; 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 open fishing seasons in the Skykomish River.
As the end of the Chinook spawn timing approaches, enough Chinook encounters remain to allow for a limited salmon fishery, targeting coho, in this area.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 20, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000YFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective immediately, until further notice, provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding recreational fishing seasons for the Snohomish River system shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
(1) Effective immediately, until further notice, the following waters are closed to fishing for or possessing food fish or game fish:
(a) Cherry Creek, from mouth upstream
(b) Raging River, from mouth upstream
(c) Skykomish River, North Fork, from mouth upstream
(d) Skykomish River, South Fork, from mouth upstream
(e) Snoqualmie River, from mouth to Snoqualmie Falls
(f) Sultan River, from mouth upstream
(g) Tolt River, from mouth to confluence of North and South forks
(2) Skykomish River, from mouth to confluence of North and South forks:
(a) Effective October 23 through October 31, 2023: Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. Barbless hooks required.
(b) Effective November 1, until further notice: Closed to fishing for or possessing food fish or game fish.
(3) Snohomish River: From the mouth to the confluence of Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers:
Effective immediately through October 31, 2023: Salmon: Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 coho. Release Chinook and chum. Use of bait is allowed. Single point barbless hooks required.
(4) Wallace River:
(a) From mouth (farthest downstream RR bridge) to 363rd Ave. SE/Reece Rd. (Dike Rd.):
Effective immediately, through October 31, 2023: Salmon daily limit is 4. Release all salmon other than coho and pinks.
(b) From 363rd Ave. SE/Reece Rd. (Dike Rd.) to 200' upstream of water intake of salmon hatchery:
Effective immediately, through November 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit is 4. Release all salmon other than coho and pinks.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective October 23, 2023:
WAC 220-312-04000W | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (23-230) |