WSR 26-11-027

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 26-70—Filed May 14, 2026, 3:49 p.m., effective May 16, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: May 16, 2026.

Purpose: This emergency rule opens recreational hatchery spring Chinook harvest opportunity in a portion of Skagit River.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-040.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

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 the Skagit River as agreed to with comanagers during the 2026 North of Falcon proceedings. Harvestable numbers of hatchery spring Chinook are forecast to return to Marblemount Hatchery. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 14, 2026.

Kelly Susewind

Director

NEW SECTION

WAC 220-312-04000ZFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.

Effective May 16 through July 15, 2026, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding salmon seasons for the Skagit River from the Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Road (Marblemount Bridge) shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed in this section, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:

Skagit River (Skagit Co.) from Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Road (Marblemount Bridge);

Salmon:

(a) Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.

(b) Night Closure in effect.