WSR 24-10-014
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-59—Filed April 18, 2024, 4:07 p.m., effective April 24, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: April 24, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule is needed to open recreational salmon seasons targeting hatchery Chinook in a portion of Skagit River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-040.
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 salmon seasons in the Skagit River as agreed to with comanagers during the 2024 North of Falcon proceedings. Harvestable numbers of hatchery spring Chinook are forecast to return to Marblemount Hatchery. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 18, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000EFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective April 24 through May 31, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and WAC 220-220-160 regarding salmon seasons and two-pole fishing for the Skagit River from the Hwy. 536 Bridge in Mt. Vernon to Gilligan Creek, shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and WAC 220-220-160 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
Skagit River (Skagit Co.): From the Hwy. 536 (Memorial Hwy.) Bridge in Mt. Vernon to Gilligan Creek: Salmon:
(a) Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(b) Night Closure in effect.
(c) Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish with two lines.
(d) All species other than salmon are closed to fishing for or retaining.