WSR 24-20-045
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-205—Filed September 24, 2024, 4:34 p.m., effective September 25, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: September 25, 2024.
Purpose: Amends fishing rules for Drano Lake.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-030.
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: Summer steelhead fisheries for 2024 remained closed in Drano Lake due to low preseason forecasts and the need to limit Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed steelhead impacts in nontreaty fisheries. The estimated returns of A and B-index summer steelhead were recently increased from preseason forecasts. Due to the increased return sizes, sufficient fishery impacts are available to reopen hatchery steelhead retention, while also meeting conservation objectives for ESA-listed steelhead stocks. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 24, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-03000YFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.
Effective September 25 through October 31, 2024, provisions of WAC 220-312-030 regarding fishing seasons for Drano Lake shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-030 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
Drano Lake: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is 6 fish, of which 1 may be an adult salmon or hatchery steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.
Reviser's note: The unnecessary underscoring
in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.