WSR 13-08-034

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 13-54 -- Filed March 27, 2013, 2:57 p.m. , effective April 1, 2013 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2013.

     Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-619.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020.

     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: The Washington fish and wildlife commission approved new fishing regulations that increased the daily bag limit for walleye in Lake Roosevelt and the lower Spokane River, to allow for increased harvest on an overabundant Lake Roosevelt walleye population. The commission also changed the fishing season for walleye on the lower Spokane River to year-round. This regulation change also increases walleye harvest opportunity, by allowing anglers to take advantage of early-season walleye fishing and harvest opportunities in identified locations. The emergency regulation will continue until further notice in the lower San Poil River. These emergency rules are interim until permanent rules take effect.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: March 27, 2013.

Joe Stohr

for Philip Anderson

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-61900C   Exceptions to statewide rules -- Lake Roosevelt, and San Poil and Spokane rivers.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619:

     (1) Effective April 1, 2013, until further notice, the daily limit is 16 walleye, with no size restriction, in the following waters:

     (a) Lake Roosevelt; and

     (b) Spokane River from the mouth (SR 25 Bridge) to 400' below Little Falls Dam.

     (2) Effective April 1, 2013, until further notice, it is permissible to fish for walleye in waters of the lower San Poil River from Boundary Line A upstream to Boundary Line C. Daily limit is 16 walleye, with no size restriction.

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