WSR 24-14-132
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-118—Filed July 2, 2024, 3:32 p.m., effective July 3, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: July 3, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is close Chinook retention in the Columbia River from Columbia Point to Priest Rapids Dam.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000P; and 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: This rule is necessary to close Chinook retention from Columbia Point to Priest Rapids Dam. This Chinook closure is needed because the recreational Chinook allocation has been met.
This rule carries forward salmon and steelhead rules from the Megler-Astoria Bridge to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco previously announced in WSR 24-14-063.
There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 2, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000QFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Effective July 3 through August 15, 2024, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060 regarding recreational salmon and steelhead seasons from the Megler-Astoria Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam, shall be modified as described below, except in areas closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead year-round in WAC 220-312-060. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-060 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) From the Megler-Astoria Bridge upstream to Bonneville Dam: Salmon and steelhead:
Effective immediately, through July 31, 2024: Daily limit 6 including no more than 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery jack Chinook and hatchery steelhead.
(2) From Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam:
Effective immediately, through July 31, 2024: Daily limit 6 including no more than 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery jack Chinook and hatchery steelhead.
(3) From The Dalles Dam upstream to a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300' upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington southern shore located approximately 200' above the fish ladder exit: Salmon and steelhead:
Effective immediately, until further notice: Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.
(4) From a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300' upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore located approximately 200' above the fish ladder exit upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco: Salmon and steelhead:
Effective immediately, through July 31, 2024: Daily limit 6 including no more than 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery jack Chinook and hatchery steelhead.
(5) From Columbia Point (approximately 1/3 mile downstream of I-182 Bridge) upstream to I-182 Bridge: Salmon:
(a) Effective July 3 through July 15, 2024: Closed to angling from a floating device or by any method except hand-cast lines from the west shore (Richland side of the river).
(b) Effective July 3 through July 15, 2024: Daily limit 6 including no more than 4 sockeye. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye.
(6) From I-182 Bridge upstream to Priest Rapids Dam: Salmon:
Effective July 3 through August 15, 2024: Daily limit 6 including no more than 4 sockeye. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective July 3, 2024:
WAC 220-312-06000P | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (24-115) |