WSR 15-22-063 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-412—Filed October 30, 2015, 5:02 p.m., effective November 3, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: November 3, 2015.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-620 and 220-310-180.
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: Washington department of fish and wildlife examined hatchery rack returns, commercial fishery catch and sampling data, test fishery data, and spawning ground data. In-season run size projections from these data suggest that the natural-origin coho run size will be approximately fifty percent of the escapement goal. At that run size, most of the allowable coho impacts have been utilized. Because the run size for 2015 now appears to be far below the preseason forecast, there is a reasoned basis for significantly reducing harvest to ensure the overall harvest rate objective is met. Based on all this information, an in-season modification of the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries is warranted to help ensure that conservation goals are met. Such an in-season adjustment requires immediate action and cannot wait for the time required to adopt a permanent rule amendment.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 30, 2015.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-62000V Coastal salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-620, effective November 3, 2015, until further notice, it is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess salmon taken by angling for personal use in Marine Area 2-1 (Willapa Bay).
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-18000G Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coast.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-180, effective November 3, 2015, until further notice:
(1) Selective gear rules in effect in all Willapa Bay tributaries.
(2) It is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess salmon taken by angling for personal use in Willapa Bay tributaries except:
(a) Naselle River (Pacific/Wahkiakum counties): Open for salmon only from the Highway 4 Bridge to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
(b) Willapa River (Pacific County): Open for salmon only from the Highway 6 Bridge to Fork Creek. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
(c) Fork Creek (Pacific County): Open for salmon. Salmon daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
(d) North Nemah River (Pacific County): Open for salmon immediately through November 30. Salmon daily limit 1. Release all salmon except chum.
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