WSR 24-21-006

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 24-220—Filed October 2, 2024, 5:14 p.m., effective October 3, 2024]

Effective Date of Rule: October 3, 2024.

Purpose: The purpose of the emergency rule is open commercial gillnet fisheries in Willapa Bay commercial salmon areas 2N and 2M.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-250.

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 emergency rule is needed to open the commercial fishery in Willapa Bay Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 2N and 2M on October 3, 2024. The catch for the Willapa Bay commercial fishery for Chinook, coho, and chum have been lower than preseason predictions. The estimated preseason impacts for natural origin (NOR) Chinook to-date for the season are 150 fish, or 36.3 percent of the preseason prediction for weeks 33–39 combined.

The total harvest for Willapa Bay commercial coho is 17,430 fish to-date, or 56.0 percent of the preseason prediction through statistical week 39. The commercial fishery in this one-day opener will target additional hatchery coho available.

The total chum harvest in the Willapa Bay commercial fishery to-date is 253 fish, or 0.79 percent of the preseason estimates.

Managers will continue to assess the fishery each opener and make any changes if warranted. All other rules remain in effect.

There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rule.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 2, 2024.

Nate Pamplin

for Kelly Susewind

Director