Effective Date of Rule: May 15, 2013.

     Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900M; and 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: Yakama Nation (YN) and Washington department of fish and wildlife fishery managers are forecasting a harvestable return of adult hatchery spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2013. Opening the two sections of the Yakima River for spring chinook will provide additional fishing opportunity. 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 9, 2013.

Joe Stohr

for Philip Anderson

Director

     (1) Effective May 15 through June 30, 2013, a person may fish for salmon in waters of the Yakima River from the Interstate 182 bridge in Richland (river mile 4.5) to the Grant Avenue Bridge in Prosser (river mile 47.0) approximately 1,000 feet downstream of Prosser Dam. Daily limit of two hatchery Chinook, minimum size 12 inches in length. Terminal gear is restricted to one, single (point), barbless hook with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less when fishing for salmon. Use of bait is allowed.

     (2) Effective May 18 through July 15, 2013, a person may fish for salmon in waters of the Yakima River from the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap (river mile 107.1) to the BNSF railroad bridge approximately 500 feet downstream of Roza Dam (river mile 127.8). Daily limit of two hatchery Chinook, minimum size 12 inches in length. Only one, single (point), barbless hook with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less is permitted. During the salmon fishery, the Selective Gear Rules requirement prohibiting use of bait and knotted nets is temporarily suspended for all species, but only in the river section open to salmon fishing. Night closure in effect.

     (3) The upper "closed water" boundary line for Area 2 is moved upstream to the railroad bridge downstream of Roza Dam.

     (4) The Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this fishery (except for Free Fishing Weekend, June 8-9), in addition to a freshwater fishing license.

     (5) In both areas open to salmon fishing, the use of two (2) fishing poles is permitted during the salmon fishery, provided the participating angler has purchased a "Two-Pole Endorsement" (in addition to the freshwater fishing license and Columbia River salmon/steelhead endorsement).

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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective July 16, 2013:

WAC 232-28-61900M

Exceptions to statewide rules -- Yakima River.