WSR 16-22-014
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 16-294—Filed October 21, 2016, 3:32 p.m., effective October 22, 2016]
Effective Date of Rule: October 22, 2016.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Nisqually River.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19000N; and amending WAC 220-310-190.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 77.12.047.
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: This emergency rule is needed to reopen a portion of the Nisqually River which was closed earlier by emergency rule filing WSR 16-18-084. Egg-take goals have been met at Kalama and Clear Creek hatcheries. The comanagers agree that the coho return is strong enough to support limited sport and tribal fisheries. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 21, 2016.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19000X Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-190, effective October 22, 2016, until further notice it is permissible to fish for salmon and gamefish in those waters of the Nisqually River from the mouth to military tank crossing bridge (located one mile upstream of mouth of Muck Creek).
(1) Salmon: Daily limit of 2 hatchery adult coho only. Release all Chinook, all chum, wild coho and wild steelhead.
(2) Trout: Daily limit of 2, minimum size 14 inches. Other gamefish statewide minimum size/daily limits apply.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective October 22, 2016:
WAC 220-310-19000N
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (16-235)