WSR 19-23-049
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-287—Filed November 13, 2019, 5:24 p.m., effective November 16, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: November 16, 2019.
Purpose: Amend recreational salmon fishing rules for Grays Harbor, its tributaries and coastal tributaries from the Hoh River south to Grays Harbor.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-317-07000S; and amending WAC 220-312-030 [220-312-020] and 220-313-070.
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 to reduce the adult portion of the salmon daily limit for coastal tributaries from the Hoh River south to Grays Harbor and its tributaries. According to inseason indicators, coho returns to tributaries along the coast from Hoh River south to Grays Harbor appear to be significantly lower than preseason predictions. These conservation measures are being taken to ensure escapement goals are met. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 13, 2019.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-02000XFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Coast.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-312-020, effective November 16, 2019 until further notice, no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit in the following waters:
1) Black River (Grays Harbor/Thurston Co.), from mouth to bridge on 128th Ave. SW.
2) Chehalis River (Chehalis Co.), from mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to the high bridge on Weyerhaeuser 1000 line.
3) Copalis River (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth to Carlisle Bridge.
4) Elk River (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth (Hwy. 105 Bridge) to the confluence of Middle Branch.
5) Hoh River (Jefferson Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Morgans Crossing boat launch.
6) Hoquiam River, including West Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge on Simpson Ave) to Dekay Rd. Bridge (West Fork).
7) Hoquiam River, East Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth to confluence of Berryman Creek.
8) Johns River (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth (Hwy. 105 Bridge) to Ballon Creek.
9) Moclips River (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth to Quinault Indian Reservation boundary.
10) Newaukum River, including South Fork (Lewis Co.), from mouth to Leonard Rd. near Onalaska.
11) Quinault River, Upper (Clallam Co.), from mouth at upper end of Quinault Lake upstream to Olympic National Park boundary.
12) Salmon River (Jefferson Co.), outside Quinault Indian reservation and Olympic National Park)
13) Satsop River and East Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth to bridge at Schafer State Park; and from 400' below Bingham Creek Hatchery to the dam.
14) Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston Co.), from mouth to 100' below outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam.
15) Wishkah River (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth to 200' below the weir at the Wishkah Rearing Ponds; and from 150' upstream to 150' downstream of the Wishkah adult attraction channel/outfall structure (within the posted fishing boundary).
16) Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor Co.), from mouth to WDFW White Bridge access site.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW
34.08.040.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07000UCoastal salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-313-070, effective November 16, 2019 until further notice, no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit in Catch Record Card Area 2-2.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-313-07000S | Coastal salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (19-185) |