WSR 98-06-060

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 98-29--Filed February 27, 1998, 4:50 p.m., effective March 1, 1998, 12:01 a.m.]

Date of Adoption: February 27, 1998.

Purpose: Personal use rules.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900G; and amending WAC 232-28-619.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

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 regulation opens three lakes in southwest Washington and modifies the trout daily limit. Surplus adult hatchery steelhead have been released into these lakes to promote additional harvest and to remove them from spawning areas where they would impact wild steelhead. This regulation will provide additional angling opportunity and will provide opportunity for anglers to harvest hatchery steelhead in area lakes. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent regulations, however, this regulation will become permanent on May 1, 1998, as part of the new sportfishing regulation package.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, amended 0, repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: March 1, 1998, 12:01 a.m.

February 27, 1998

Bern Shanks

Director

NEW SECTION

WAC 232-28-61900G Washington game fish seasons and catch limits exceptions to statewide rules. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619, effective immediately until further notice it is unlawful to fish for trout and other gamefish in the following waters in Region 5 except as provided below:

1a) Klineline Ponds - Open March 1, 1998 until further notice. Trout - No more than two trout can be greater than 20 inches in length.

b) Kress Lake - Open March 1, 1998 until further notice. Trout - No more than two trout can be greater than 20 inches in length.

c) Horseshoe Lake - Open March 1, 1998 through March 30, 1998. Trout - No more than two trout can be greater than 20 inches in length.

2) The daily limit for other gamefish in these lakes is the same as the permanent rules.

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REPEALER

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 11:59 p.m. May 1, 1998.