[Order 24-121—Filed July 3, 2024, 4:01 p.m., effective July 8, 2024]

Effective Date of Rule: July 8, 2024.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close recreational fishing in the Skagit River, from Hwy. 9 in Sedro Woolley to the Baker River July 8-10.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000N; and 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 close Skagit River, from Hwy. 9 in Sedro Woolley to the mouth of the Baker River to all fishing, July 8 through 10, 2024.

A fishing closure in Skagit River, from Hwy. 9 in Sedro Woolley to the Baker River is necessary to avoid gear conflicts during scheduled treaty fisheries.

This rule carries forward spring Chinook and sockeye seasons for Skagit River, previously announced in WSR 24-13-054.

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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 3, 2024.

WAC 220-312-04000PFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.

Effective July 8 through July 15, 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 and salmon seasons for Cascade River, 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:

(1) Cascade River (Skagit Co.); from mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge:

Salmon, effective immediately, through July 15, 2024:

(a) Open daily.

(b) Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.

(2) Skagit River (Skagit Co.):

(a) From the Hwy. 536 (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) in Mt. Vernon to the Hwy. 9 Bridge in Sedro Woolley:

Salmon, effective immediately, through July 15, 2024:

(i) Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.

(ii) Night Closure in effect.

(iii) Selective gear rules are not in effect for salmon.

(b) From Hwy. 9 Bridge in Sedro Woolley to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete:

(i) All species: effective July 8 through July 10, 2024: Closed

(ii) Salmon, effective July 11 through July 15, 2024:

(A) Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.

(B) Night Closure in effect.

All species, effective July 8 through July 10, 2024: Closed.

(d) From Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge):

Salmon, effective immediately, through July 15, 2024:

(i) Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.

(ii) Night Closure and Anti-snagging rule in effect.

The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective July 8, 2024:

Puget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (24-114)