WSR 19-12-072
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-105—Filed June 3, 2019, 12:12 p.m., effective June 16, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: June 16, 2019.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-060.
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: The department is in the process of adopting permanent rules that are necessary to implement the state's share of the fishing plans agreed to with resource comanagers at the 2019 North of Falcon proceedings. These emergency rules are necessary to meet conservation objectives and because the current permanent rule is inconsistent with the agreed 2019 North of Falcon fishery sharing package. Specifically, the rule closes sections of the Columbia River to salmon retention beginning June 16 due to low expected returns of summer Chinook and sockeye salmon.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 31, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000PFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, it is unlawful to violate the following provisions, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) From Buoy 10 upstream to Megler-Astoria Bridge; salmon and steelhead open August 1 through August 20:
(a) Night closure.
(b) Daily limit 2.
(c) No more than 1 Chinook may be retained.
(d) Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and hatchery coho.
(2) From Megler-Astoria Bridge to a projected line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the navigation light at Tongue Point on the Oregon Bank; salmon and steelhead:
(a) Open June 16 through June 30:
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(b) Open July 1 through July 31:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 1.
(iii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(c) Open August 1 through August 20:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 2.
(iii) No more than 1 Chinook may be retained.
(iv) Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and hatchery coho.
(3) From a projected line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the navigation light at Tongue Point on the Oregon Bank to Hood River Bridge; salmon and steelhead:
(a) Open June 16 through June 30:
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(b) Open July 1 through July 31:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 1.
(iii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(c) Open August 1 through August 20:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 1.
(iii) Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and hatchery coho.
(4) From Hood River Bridge to John Day Dam:
(a) Open June 16 through June 30:
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(b) Open July 1 through July 31:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 1.
(iii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(c) Salmon and steelhead open August 1 through August 20:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 1.
(iii) Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and coho.
(5) From John Day Dam upstream to Hwy 395 at Pasco, WA:
(a) Open June 16 through June 30:
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(b) Open July 1 through July 31:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 1.
(iii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
(c) Salmon and steelhead open August 1 through August 20:
(i) Night closure.
(ii) Daily limit 1.
(iii) Release all salmon and wild steelhead except Chinook and coho.
(6) From Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco, WA upstream to Priest Rapids Dam: Salmon and steelhead closed June 16 through August 15.