WSR 16-13-017 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 16-135—Filed June 3, 2016, 11:22 a.m., effective June 16, 2016] Effective Date of Rule: June 16, 2016.
Purpose: Amend Columbia River recreational salmon fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-310-20000P; and amending WAC 220-310-200.
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 emergency rule is needed because the preseason forecast for upper Columbia River sockeye salmon is only for about 102,000 fish returning to the river mouth. This run abundance is insufficient to support sockeye harvest in the upper Columbia River and meet spawning escapement goals in the Wenatchee and Okanogan basins. Achieving a successful sockeye spawn in 2016 is extremely important following the massive mortality and poor spawning escapement of upper Columbia sockeye caused by the drought and high water temperatures in 2015. The department is in the process of adopting permanent rules that are necessary to implement the personal use fishing plans agreed-to with resource comanagers at the North of Falcon proceedings. These emergency rules are necessary to comply with agreed-to management plans, and are interim until permanent rules take effect.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 3, 2016.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-310-20000P Exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-310-200:
(1) Effective June 16 through August 15, 2016:
(a) It is permissible to fish for salmon in waters of the Columbia River from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge in Richland.
(b) Daily limit of three salmon, of which no more than one may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult Chinook and sockeye.
(2) Effective June 16 through August 15, 2016:
(a) It is permissible to fish for salmon in waters of the Columbia River from the Interstate 182 Bridge in Richland to Priest Rapids Dam.
(b) Daily limit of four salmon, of which no more than two may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult Chinook and sockeye.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 16, 2016:
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