[Order 19-106—Filed May 17, 2019, 3:54 p.m., effective May 20, 2019]

Effective Date of Rule: May 20, 2019.

Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for Wind River and Drano Lake.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-03000Q; and amending WAC 220-312-030.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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: This rule is needed to close recreational salmon and steelhead angling in the Wind River and Drano Lake. Returns of upriver spring Chinook to several hatchery facilities in the Columbia and Snake River basins are currently projected to fall below levels needed to meet broodstock collection goals. These facilities can utilize spring Chinook stocks collected at Little White Salmon and Carson National Fish Hatcheries for brood. Closing the Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries will provide additional fish for these hatchery facilities and help ensure future hatchery returns and fishing opportunities. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 17, 2019.

WAC 220-312-03000SFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-030, effective May 20, 2019 until further notice:

1) Cispus River (Lewis Co.): Salmon: closed.

2) Cowlitz Falls Reservoir (Lake Scanewa) (Lewis Co.): Salmon: closed.

3) Cowlitz River (Cowlitz Co.): Salmon: closed.

4) Drano Lake (Skamania Co.): In the waters downstream of markers on point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of Highway 14 bridge: Salmon and steelhead: closed.

5) Kalama River (Cowlitz Co.):

(a) From the mouth upstream to 1000 feet below the fishway at the upper salmon hatchery:

(i) Salmon and steelhead: The use of barbed hooks is permissible.

(ii) Salmon; effective immediately: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.

(b) From 1000 feet above fishway at upper salmon hatchery to Summers Creek: Selective Gear Rules, except the use of barbed hooks is permissible.

(c) From Summers Creek to the intersection 6000 and 6420 Roads: fly fishing only, except the use of barbed hooks is permissible.

(d) From the intersection 6000 and 6420 Roads to 6600 Road Bridge immediately downstream of Jacks Creek: Selective Gear Rules, except the use of barbed hooks is permissible.

6) Klickitat River (Klickitat Co.):

(a) From the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad bridge) to Fisher Hill Bridge:

(i) Salmon and steelhead; effective immediately through May 24, 2019:

(A) Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.

(B) Daily limit 2; no more than 1 may be an adult salmon: Release wild Chinook and wild steelhead.

(ii) Salmon; effective May 25, 2019 until further notice: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult may be retained: Release wild Chinook.

(b) From 400 feet upstream of #5 fishway to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery, effective May 25, 2019 until further notice: Salmon: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult may be retained: Release wild Chinook.

7) Lewis River (Clark/Cowlitz Co.): Salmon: closed.

8) Wind River (Skamania Co.): From the mouth to 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery: Salmon and steelhead: closed.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective May 20, 2019:

Southwest—Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules. (19-92)