WSR 19-11-064
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-103—Filed May 15, 2019, 10:45 a.m., effective May 15, 2019, 10:45 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for the Snake River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-05000G; and amending WAC 220-312-050.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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 rule is needed to close salmon fishing in a portion of the Snake River. Spring Chinook salmon returns to the Clearwater River are lower than predicted in preseason estimates. In order to protect hatchery broodstock within the Clearwater it is necessary to close this section of the Snake River, as it is adjacent to the mouth of the Clearwater. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 14, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000HFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-050 and WAC 220-313-010:
(1) Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone includes the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility (includes the walkway area locally known as "the Wall" in front of the juvenile collection facility); effective immediately until further notice:
(a) Hooks must be barbless when fishing for all species during times and in locations open for salmon.
(b) Salmon:
(i) Open Saturdays and Sundays each week.
(ii) Daily limit 4 of which up to 1 may be an adult; minimum length 12 inches.
(iii) Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(iv) Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead once the adult salmon daily limit has been retained.
(v) Night closure.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective immediately:
WAC 220-312-05000G
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside. (19-96)