WSR 18-20-070
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 18-268—Filed September 28, 2018, 9:36 a.m., effective September 29, 2018]
Effective Date of Rule: September 29, 2018.
Purpose: Amends recreational salmon fishing rules for Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and Wallace rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-040.
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 close salmon fishing in portions of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and Wallace rivers and requires the release of all salmon other than hatchery coho in the sections that remain open to salmon. Inseason run-size updates indicate that the Snohomish wild coho run is lower than the preseason forecast. These measures are needed to protect future runs of coho by increasing chances wild spawner escapement goals are met. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 26, 2018.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000WFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-040, effective September 29, 2018 until further notice:
(1) Snohomish River (Snohomish Co.): from mouth to confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers: Closed to salmon fishing.
(2) Snoqualmie River (King/Snohomish Co.): from mouth to Snoqualmie Falls: Closed to salmon fishing.
(3) Skykomish River (Snohomish Co.):
(a) From mouth to the mouth of the Wallace River: Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.
(b) From the mouth of the Wallace River to the confluence of North and South Forks: Closed to salmon fishing.
(4) Wallace River (Snohomish Co.): from mouth to 200' upstream of the hatchery water intake: Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.