WSR 24-15-063
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-130—Filed July 16, 2024, 5:01 p.m., effective July 20, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: July 20, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close Chinook retention in the Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to Rocky Reach Dam.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: 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 rule is necessary to close Chinook retention from Rock Island Dam to 400 feet downstream of Rocky Reach fish ladders.
This Chinook retention closure is needed to ensure broodstock and escapement objectives are met. The current and projected hatchery and natural-origin summer Chinook return to the Wenatchee River are below what is needed to meet minimum spawning escapement and broodstock objectives for the Wenatchee River.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 16, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000RFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Effective July 20 through October 15, 2024, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060 regarding recreational salmon seasons from the Rock Island Dam to 400 feet downstream of Rocky Reach fish ladders, 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:
Rock Island Dam to the boundary markers 400 feet downstream of the Rocky Reach Dam fish ladders:
Effective July 20 through October 15, 2024: Salmon: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.