WSR 19-19-008
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-212—Filed September 6, 2019, 11:53 a.m., effective September 21, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: September 21, 2019.
Purpose: Amends recreational sturgeon fishing rules for the Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-06000W [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: This rule is needed to open white sturgeon retention in the Columbia River from Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam and the Cowlitz River. The legal-size population is large enough to allow for a conservative retention fishery within the lower Columbia River. This action is consistent with decisions made by the states of Washington and Oregon on September 5, 2019. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 5, 2019.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000WFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-060:
From Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam, including the Cowlitz River:
(a) It is permissible to retain white sturgeon on the following dates: September 21 and September 28, 2019. The daily limit of white sturgeon is one fish between 44-inches minimum and 50-inches maximum fork length.
(b) Catch and release angling is permissible on days not open to sturgeon retention.