WSR 15-15-110 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-178—Filed July 16, 2015, 11:27 a.m., effective July 18, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: July 18, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-310-190.
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: Recruitment of rainbow trout has been poor in recent years. Rainbows are growing larger, faster than in the past, as a result the 13" minimum size restriction no longer protects first time spawners resulting in anglers harvesting fish that had not had an opportunity to reproduce. The minimum size limit needs to be adjusted accordingly. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 16, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-19000A Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-190, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
Ross Lake (Whatcom Co.) Effective July 18, 2015, until further notice, in waters of Ross Lake, the daily limit for Rainbow trout is one fish per day, minimum size 16 inches in length. Brook Trout no minimum size, five fish per day.
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