Purpose: Personal use rules.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-57-16000M and 232-28-61900M; and amending WAC 220-57-160 and 232-28-619.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 75.08.080 and 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: Harvestable numbers of salmon and Skamania stock steelhead are expected to return to Ringold Hatchery. This limited-area fishery is crafted to minimize impacts to outside upriver stocks while allowing harvest of the returning hatchery fish. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, amended 0, repealed 2.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.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: May 1, 1998, 12:01 a.m.

April 22, 1998

Bern Shanks

Director

WAC 220-57-16000M  Columbia River. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-57-160, effective 12:01 a.m. May 1 through August 15, 1998: Special daily limit of one salmon greater than 12 inches in length in those waters of the Columbia River from a marker 1/2 mile above Spring Creek Hatchery (Ringold Hatchery rearing pond outlet) downstream to markers 1/4 mile below the Ringold wasteway outlet. Bank fishing only on the hatchery side of the river only.

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NEW SECTION

WAC 232-28-61900M  Washington game fish - Exceptions to state-wide rules. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619, effective 12:01 a.m. May 1 through August 15, 1998: Those waters of the Columbia River from a marker 1/2 mile above Spring Creek Hatchery (Ringold Hatchery rearing pond outlet) downstream to markers 1/4 mile below the Ringold wasteway outlet: Trout: steelhead only, daily limit 2, bank fishing only on the hatchery side of the river only. Release all game fish other than steelhead.

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REPEALERS

The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed effective 11:59 p.m. August 15, 1998:

WAC 220-57-16000M Columbia River.

WAC 232-28-61900M Washington game fish - Exceptions to state-wide rules.