WSR 06-05-116

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 06-25 -- Filed February 15, 2006, 11:26 a.m. , effective March 1, 2006 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: March 1, 2006.

     Purpose: Amend personal use fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900J; and amending WAC 232-28-619.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 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: The 2005/2006 wild winter steelhead runs for the Snohomish and Stillaguamish River systems are forecasted to be below escapement needs. Predicted wild steelhead run sizes for the river systems are anticipated to be only 36% of wild steelhead escapement requirements. Since the predicted wild run sizes are so low, closures are necessary to eliminate hooking mortality and disturbance of spawning fish to maximize escapement. 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: February 15, 2006.

J. P. Koenings

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-61900J   Exceptions to statewide rules -- Skykomish River and North Fork Stillaguamish River.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619:

(1) Skykomish River

(Mainstem)

 From mouth to mouth of the Sultan River: Closed to fishing March 1, 2006 through April 30, 2006.
(2) Stillaguamish River

(North Fork)

 From mouth to Swede Heaven Bridge: Closed to fishing March 1, 2006 through May 31, 2006.

[]


REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective June 1, 2006:


WAC 232-28-61900J Exceptions to statewide rules -- Skykomish River and North Fork Stillaguamish River.