WSR 23-22-113
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-242—Filed October 31, 2023, 2:00 p.m., effective November 1, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: November 1, 2023.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to return gamefish seasons in the Snohomish watershed to permanent rules and to open or extend salmon seasons targeting coho in the Skykomish River, Snohomish River, Snoqualmie River, and Wallace River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000Y; 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: In-season observations indicate coho salmon returns are sufficient to increase the salmon daily limit. The abundance of wild coho is greater than the preseason forecast.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 31, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
[NEW SECTION]
WAC 220-312-04000ZFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective immediately, until further notice, provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding recreational salmon 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) Skykomish River, from mouth to confluence of North and South forks:
Effective November 1, through November 30: Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. Single-point barbless hooks required.
(2) Snohomish River: From the mouth to the confluence of Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers:
Effective November 1, through November 30: Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. Single-point barbless hooks required.
(3) Snoqualmie River: From mouth to Snoqualmie Falls:
Effective November 1, through November 30, 2023: Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum.
(4) Wallace River: From mouth (farthest downstream RR bridge) 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.
Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective November 1, 2023:
WAC 220-312-04000Y | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (23-235) |