WSR 15-19-003
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 15-306—Filed September 2, 2015, 1:45 p.m., effective September 2, 2015]
Effective Date of Rule: September 2, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900F [220-310-19000F]; and amending WAC 232-28-619 [220-310-190].
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: An emergency rule is needed to reopen the Skykomish and Stillaguamish rivers as flows and water temperature in the rivers have responded positively to a change in the weather pattern. Lifting these closures will provide angling 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 2, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19000J Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-190, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) Raging River (King Co.) From the mouth upstream closed to all fishing.
(2) Skykomish River (Snohomish Co.) From the mouth upstream to the mouth of the Sultan River, open to fishing. From the mouth of the Sultan River upstream to the Highway 2 Bridge in Gold bar (Big Eddy Access), closed to fishing. The section around Reiter Ponds remains open from the Gold Bar/Big Eddy Access (Hwy. 2 Bridge) upstream to the confluence of the North and South Forks.
(3) North Fork Skykomish River (Snohomish Co.) From mouth upstream including all tributaries closed to all fishing daily 2:00 p.m. to midnight.
(4) South Fork Skykomish River (Snohomish/King Co.) From Sunset Falls upstream and all tributaries, including the Beckler, Foss, Miller and Rapid rivers and their tributaries closed to all fishing daily 2:00 p.m. to midnight.
(5) Wallace River (Snohomish Co.). From the mouth upstream including all tributaries closed to all fishing.
(6) Stillaguamish River (Skagit/Snohomish Co.) From Marine Drive upstream to the forks. Open to fishing.
(7) Stillaguamish River North and South Forks and all tributaries closed to fishing.
(8) Suiattle River (Skagit Co.) Tributaries Buck, Downey and Sulpher Creeks are closed to fishing.
(9) Samish River (Skagit Co.) From I-5 to headwaters and Friday Creek from the mouth upstream closed to all fishing daily 2:00 p.m. to midnight.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-310-19000F
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (15-278)