WSR 16-15-002 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 16-173—Filed July 6, 2016, 4:28 p.m., effective July 7, 2016] Effective Date of Rule: July 7, 2016.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Columbia River.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-20000W; and amending WAC 220-310-200.
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 sockeye run has exceeded the preseason forecast of one hundred two thousand fish returning to the river mouth (currently upgraded to three hundred fifty thousand). Barring extreme high water temperatures like 2015 that caused unprecedented prespawning mortality, sufficient escapement of fish to meet spawning needs in the Wenatchee and Okanogan rivers should be realized. Increasing the daily limit and allowing retention of sockeye salmon will provide additional 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 6, 2016.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-20000W Freshwater exceptions—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-200, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) For all subsections listed below the following rules apply:
(a) Daily limit six salmon, up to two may be adult hatchery Chinook and up to three may be sockeye.
(b) Release coho and wild adult Chinook.
(c) Minimum size 12 inches.
(d) Release all sockeye with colored anchor (floy) tag attached.
(2) July 7 through August 31, 2016, from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Rock Island Dam.
(3) July 7 through October 15, 2016, from Rock Island Dam to 400 feet below Wells Dam.
(4) July 16 through August 31, 2016, from Wells Dam to Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster.
(5) July 7 through October 15, 2016, from Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective October 16, 2016:
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