WSR 24-19-031
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-179—Filed September 9, 2024, 4:49 p.m., effective September 10, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: September 10, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to reduce the salmon daily limit in the Quillayute River system.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-020.
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 needed to reduce the salmon daily limit for Bogachiel, Calawah, Dickey, Quillayute, and Sol Duc rivers.
A reduced daily limit is necessary to protect salmon returning to the Quillayute watershed. Low flows have resulted in coho and Chinook holding in the lower river and not moving upstream to spawning grounds. Returning salmon abundance will be monitored and regulations may be modified as additional information becomes available.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 9, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000KFreshwater exceptions to statewide rulesCoast.
Effective September 10 through December 15, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-020, regarding all salmon daily limits for Bogachiel, Calawah, Dickey, Hoh, Quillayute, and Sol Duc rivers shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-020 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.), from mouth to Hwy 101 Bridge:
September 10 through December 15: Salmon: Daily limit 1. Release sockeye and wild coho.
(2) Calawah River (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Hwy 101 Bridge:
September 10 through December 15: Salmon: Daily limit 1. Release sockeye and wild coho.
(3) Dickey River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of the East and West Forks:
September 10 through December 15: Salmon: Daily limit 1. Release sockeye and wild coho.
(4) Quillayute River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers:
September 10 through December 15: Salmon: Daily limit 1. Release sockeye and wild coho.
(5) Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from mouth to the concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery:
September 10 through December 15: Salmon: Daily limit 1. Release sockeye and wild coho.