WSR 14-14-045 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 14-156—Filed June 25, 2014, 11:16 a.m., effective June 27, 2014] Effective Date of Rule: June 27, 2014.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-19500S; and amending WAC 220-310-195.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 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: Based on in-season projections for a relatively good return of upper Grande Ronde River chinook populations, which guide both sport and tribal fishery management, there are sufficient numbers of returning fish to sustain allowable impacts on natural origin fish, while providing harvest opportunity upon hatchery origin fish. Consistent with the joint Washington department of fish and wildlife and Oregon department of fish and wildlife Grande Ronde fish management and evaluation plan and federal Endangered Species Act permits, a four day fishery will be opened in the Washington portion of the lower Grande Ronde River, concurrently with an Oregon fishery opening.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 25, 2014.
Philip Anderson
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19500S Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Grande Ronde River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-195, effective June 27 through June 30, 2014:
(1) It is permissible to fish in waters of the Grande Ronde River from the Highway 129 Bridge upstream approximately 12 miles to the furthest upstream Oregon – Washington boundary line.
(2) Daily limit 7 hatchery Chinook, of which no more than two may be an adult hatchery Chinook salmon. Immediately release all wild (non-adipose fin clipped) Chinook, steelhead and all bull trout with care. Chinook minimum size is 12 inches.
(3) Anglers must cease fishing Chinook when the adult daily limit has been retained.
(4) Barbless hooks only when fishing for all species during times and in locations open for salmon fishing and retention.
(5) It is unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8-inch (point of hook to shank) when fishing for all species.
(6) Night closure is in effect for salmon.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative code is repealed effective July 1, 2014:
| ||||