WSR 22-22-056
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-254—Filed October 27, 2022, 4:50 p.m., effective October 27, 2022, 4:50 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open Cascade River coho fisheries seven days per week.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000T; and amending WAC 220-312-040.
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 emergency rule is necessary to open Cascade River coho fisheries seven days per week. Treaty coho fisheries in the Cascade River have concluded; therefore, weekly closure days are no longer necessary to avoid gear conflicts.
This rule also carries forward Skagit River rules previously filed in WSR 22-22-019, on October 21, 2022.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 27, 2022.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000VFreshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound.
Effective immediately, through November 30, 2022, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding fishing seasons for the Cascade River and Skagit River shall be modified in locations listed, as described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040, not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Cascade River (Skagit County); from mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge:
Salmon:
(a) Open daily.
(b) Daily limit 4. Release all fish other than coho.
(c) Anti-snagging rules in effect.
(d) Night closure in effect.
(2) Skagit River (Skagit County); from the mouth (a line projected from the terminus of the jetty with McGlinn Island to the white monument on the easterly end of Ika Island, then to a white monument on the westerly end of Craft Island, then to a white monument near the corner of the levee on the westerly side of Dry Slough, and then to a white monument on the easterly side of Tom Moore Slough) to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge):
(a) All species: Bait is prohibited.
(b) Salmon: Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately, 2022:
WAC 220-312-04000T
Freshwater exceptions to statewide rulesPuget Sound. (22-248)