12-03-024

WSR 12-03-024

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 11-319 -- Filed January 5, 2012, 4:08 p.m. , effective February 1, 2012 ]

     Effective Date of Rule: February 1, 2012.

     Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-619.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020.

     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: There is an unknown number of wild steelhead returning to these streams for the 2011-2012 season. Wild steelhead escapements to these waters over the past several years have shown a declining trend. These closures will reduce the incidental hooking mortalities of wild steelhead. Puget Sound wild steelhead populations are listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: January 5, 2012.

Joe Stohr

for Philip Anderson

Director

NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-61900T   Exceptions to statewide rules.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-619, effective February 1, 2012, until further notice, it is unlawful to fish in the following waters:

     (1) Dungeness River: From the mouth upstream to the forks at Dungeness Forks Campground.

     (2) Morse Creek: from the mouth to Port Angeles Dam.

     (3) Salt Creek: From the mouth to the bridge on Highway 112.

     (4) Deep Creek: From the mouth upstream.

     (5) Pysht River: From the mouth upstream.

     (6) Clallam River: From the mouth upstream.

     (7) Sekiu River: From the mouth to the forks.

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