WSR 24-21-068
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-233—Filed October 11, 2024, 2:01 p.m., effective October 11, 2024, 2:01 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to extend recreational salmon seasons for Cascade River and Skagit River, and to temporarily close a portion of Skagit River to all fishing.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000Y; and amending WAC 220-312-040.
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 extend recreational salmon seasons in Cascade and Skagit rivers and to set a temporary all species closure in a portion of Skagit River. Cascade and Skagit rivers' coho returns are greater than forecast and are sufficient to allow for an extension of recreational fishing seasons. The temporary closure in Skagit River from Gilligan Creek to Baker River is needed to avoid gear conflicts be [between] recreational anglers and treaty fishers.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 11, 2024.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000Z Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective immediately, through December 31, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding recreational fishing seasons for the Cascade River and Skagit River, shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Cascade River (Skagit Co.) from mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge:
(a) Immediately through October 31: Gamefish and salmon open daily:
(i) Anti-snagging rules.
(ii) Night closure.
(iii) Salmon: Daily limit 4 coho. Release all salmon other than coho.
(iv) Game fish: Statewide length/daily limit, except:
(A) Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: Minimum length 14 inches.
(B) Dolly Varden/bull trout: Minimum length of 20 inches, count as part of the trout daily limit.
(b) November 1 through November 30: Salmon open daily:
(i) Salmon: Daily limit 4 coho. Release all salmon other than coho.
(ii) Anti-snagging rules.
(iii) Night Closure.
(2) Skagit River (Skagit Co.):
(a) Mouth (a line projected from the terminus of the jetty with McGlinn Island to the white monument on the easterly end of Ika Island, then to a white monument on the westerly end of Craft Island, then to a white monument near the corner of the levee on the westerly side of Dry Slough, and then to a white monument on the easterly side of Tom Moore Slough) to Gilligan Creek:
Salmon: Open immediately through December 31: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than coho. Night Closure in effect.
(b) Gilligan Creek to Baker River:
(i) All species: Closed October 13 through 11:59 a.m. October 14.
(ii) Salmon:
(A) Open immediately through October 12: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than coho. Night Closure in effect.
(B) Open 12:00 p.m. October 14 through December 31, 2024: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than coho. Night Closure in effect.
(c) Baker River to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge):
Salmon: Open immediately through December 31: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than coho. Night Closure in effect.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:
WAC 220-312-04000Y | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (24-226) |