WSR 25-17-022
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-172—Filed August 11, 2025, 3:57 p.m., effective September 16, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: September 16, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule closes recreational fishing in the upper Green/Duwamish River.
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 necessary to close fishing in the upper Green/Duwamish River. This closure is necessary to protect spawning Chinook and their redds. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 11, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000ZFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective immediately, September 16 through October 31, 2025, the provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding recreational gamefish seasons for Green/Duwamish River, shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed in this section, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
Green/Duwamish River, from Auburn Black Diamond Road upstream to the Tacoma Municipal Boundary Marker:
Gamefish: Closed.