WSR 97-17-031

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

(Fisheries)

[Order 97-151--Filed August 12, 1997, 4:42 p.m., effective August 13, 1997, 12:01 a.m.]

Date of Adoption: August 12, 1997.

Purpose: Personal use rules.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-56-19000M; and amending WAC 220-56-190.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 75.08.080.

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 regulation is necessary to enhance recreational opportunity for operators of small recreational boats. Harvestable numbers of chinook salmon are available in the overall ocean chinook quota. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, amended 0, repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: August 13, 1997, 12:01 a.m.

August 12, 1997

Dirk Brazil

for Bern Shanks

Director

NEW SECTION

WAC 220-56-19000N Coastal salmon--Seasons and limits. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-56-190, effective 12:01 a.m. August 13, 1997, until further notice it is unlawful to fish for or possess salmon taken for personal use from Catch Record Card Areas 1 through 4 except as provided for in this section:

(1) Area 1 - Closed until further notice.

(2) Area 2 - Special daily limit of 2 salmon. Special cumulative limit of 4 salmon in any seven consecutive days - Sundays through Thursdays only, July 21 through September 25, 1997.

(3) Area 2.1 - Special daily limit of 6 salmon, not more than 3 of which may be adult salmon as defined in WAC 220-56-190 - August 16 until further notice.

(4) Area 2.2 - The Westport Boat Basin fishery as provided for in WAC 220-56-190, except all species night closure and non-buoyant lure restriction September 1 until further notice. Waters east of the Channel Marker 13 line - Daily limit A except release coho salmon - September 1 through September 30 - Single point barbless hooks required.

(5) Area 3 - Closed until further notice.

(6) Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line - Closed until further notice.

(7) Area 4 - Effective 12:01 a.m. August 1, 1997 through 11:59 p.m. August 29, 1997, in those waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line special daily limit of 2 salmon, except chinook salmon and coho salmon must be released.

(8) Area 4 - Effective 12:01 a.m. August 30, 1997 through 11:59 p.m. August 31, 1997, in those waters of Catch Record Card Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line special daily limit of 2 salmon, except chinook salmon must be released.

(9) Size limits - Chinook salmon minimum size 24 inches in length. Coho salmon minimum size 16 inches in length.

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REPEALER

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 12:01 a.m. August 13, 1997: