WSR 23-20-031
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-212—Filed September 25, 2023, 5:09 p.m., effective September 27, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: September 27, 2023.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close recreational fishing in the Stillaguamish River and its forks.
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: Preliminary monitoring data indicate the Stillaguamish River sport fisheries are close to their allowable Chinook encounters and are in danger of exceeding the allowable total should these fisheries continue.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 25, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000UFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective September 27, 2023, until further notice, fishing seasons within the Stillaguamish River and its forks shall be closed in locations listed and described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040, not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Stillaguamish River (Snohomish County); from the mouth, including all sloughs downstream of Marine Drive (south of Stanwood) upstream to forks.
(2) Stillaguamish River, North Fork (Snohomish County); from mouth to North Fork Falls.
(3) Stillaguamish River, South Fork (Snohomish County); from mouth upstream (including upstream of Granite Falls.)