WSR 23-14-022
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-103—Filed June 23, 2023, 10:51 a.m., effective June 23, 2023, 10:51 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open Cascade River hatchery Chinook seasons seven days per week.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000H; and amending WAC 220-312-040.
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 necessary to open salmon seasons in a portion of Cascade River seven days per week.
Treaty fisheries for hatchery spring Chinook in this section of the Cascade [River] have concluded for the season. Sunday through Tuesday closures to avoid gear conflicts are no longer necessary. The ongoing Skagit system sport fisheries are still within conservation objectives for wild spring Chinook encounters.
This rule also maintains salmon seasons for the Skagit River set in WSR 23-13-075, filed on June 14, 2023.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 23, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000IFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective immediately, through July 15, 2023, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and regarding salmon seasons for portions of the Skagit River and Cascade River, shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Cascade River (Skagit Co.): From mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge: Salmon:
(a) Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(b) Night Closure in effect.
(c) Anti-snagging rule in effect.
(2) Skagit River (Skagit Co.):
(a) From Hwy. 536 Bridge (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) in Mt. Vernon to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete: Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 3 sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(ii) Night closure in effect.
(iii) Selective gear rules are not in effect for salmon.
(b) From the Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge): Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(ii) Night Closure in effect.
(iii) Anti-snagging rule in effect.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:
WAC 220-312-04000H | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (23-100) |