WSR 23-20-071
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-220—Filed September 29, 2023, 9:48 a.m., effective October 1, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2023.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open coho retention seasons in the upper Columbia River and the Icicle River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-050 and 220-312-060.
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 coho seasons in the upper Columbia River and Icicle River. Expected coho returns are sufficient to provide for this recreational angling opportunity. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 29, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000XFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Effective October 1 through October 15, 2022, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060 regarding recreational salmon and steelhead seasons from Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, shall be modified during the dates listed and as described below. All year-round Closed Waters areas remain in effect. Other provisions of WAC 220-312-060 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) From Priest Rapids Dam to boundary markers 400 feet downstream of the fish ladders at Rock Island Dam: Salmon:
Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult Chinook and no more than 2 coho.
(2)From Rock Island Dam to Boundary 400 feet below the Wells Dam spawning channel discharge (on Chelan County side) and fish ladder (on Douglas County side): Salmon:
Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 2 coho. Release wild adult Chinook.
(3)From Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek (Douglas County side): Salmon:
Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000DFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Effective October 1 through November 30, 2023, provisions of WAC 220-312-050 regarding salmon seasons for the Icicle River shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-050 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
Icicle River (Chelan Co.):
(a) From the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth of the river to 500 feet downstream from the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam:
Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than coho.
(ii) Use of bait is prohibited.
(iii) Night closure in effect.
(b) From the shoreline markers where Cyo Road intersects the Icicle River at the Sleeping Lady Resort to the Icicle Peshastin Irrigation Footbridge (approximately 750 feet upstream from the Snow Lakes trailhead parking area):
Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than coho.
(ii) Use of bait is prohibited.
(iii) Night closure in effect.