WSR 24-17-052
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-154—Filed August 14, 2024, 12:07 p.m., effective August 16, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: August 16, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close Chinook retention in the Columbia River, from Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, Chelan River, and Entiat River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000R and 220-312-05000R; and amending WAC 220-312-060 and 220-312-050.
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 in the Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, Chelan River, and Entiat River. The nontreaty harvest share for summer Chinook has been met in the Columbia River above Priest Rapids Dam.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 14, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000SFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Effective August 16 through October 15, 2024, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060 regarding recreational salmon seasons from Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, 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:
(1) Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam: August 16 through August 31, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(2) Rock Island Dam to the boundary markers 400 feet downstream of the Rocky Reach Dam fish ladders: Immediately, through October 15, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(3) Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam: August 16 through October 15, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(4) Wells Dam to Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster: August 16 through September 30, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(5) A line drawn between Gun Club Road and Pelican Point to Chief Joseph Dam: August 16 through October 15, 2024:
Salmon: Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000WExceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
The following provisions of WAC 220-312-050 regarding Chelan River and Entiat River recreational salmon seasons shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-050 not addressed herein, and unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Chelan river (Chelan County); from the railroad bridge to the Chelan P.U.D. safety barrier below the powerhouse: Effective August 16 through October 15, 2024:
Salmon: Closed
(2) Entiat River (Chelan County); from mouth (railroad bridge) upstream: Effective August 16 through September 30, 2024:
Salmon: Closed.
REPEALER
The following sections of Washington Administrative Code are repealed, effective August 16, 2024:
WAC 220-312-06000R | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (24-130) |
WAC 220-312-05000R | Exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside. (24-112) |