WSR 25-05-030
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-21—Filed February 10, 2025, 4:55 p.m., effective February 15, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: February 15, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens one day of recreational white sturgeon retention from The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam on the Columbia River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-06000D; 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 opens recreational sturgeon retention day in The Dalles Pool and maintains the previously adopted Bonneville Pool recreational sturgeon retention closure. There are 134 fish remaining on the harvest guideline and projections indicate this fishery can support an additional day of retention. These populations are managed under sustainable harvest guidelines. This action is consistent with decisions made by the states of Washington and Oregon during the Columbia River compact hearing on February 10, 2025. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 10, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-06000EFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River.
Effective February 15 through April 30, 2025, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060, WAC 220-312-030, and WAC 220-316-010 regarding white sturgeon retention seasons from Bonneville Dam to John Day Dam are as follows. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-060, WAC 220-316-010, and WAC 220-312-030 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) From Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam, including adjacent tributaries:
White sturgeon: Closed to retention. Catch and release fishing only.
(2) From The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam, including adjacent tributaries:
(a) February 15, 2025: It is permissible to retain white sturgeon: Daily limit 1. Minimum fork length 43 inches. Maximum fork length 54 inches.
(b) February 16 through April 30, 2025: White sturgeon: Closed to retention. Catch and release fishing only.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative code is repealed, effective February 15, 2025:
WAC 220-312-06000D | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia River. (25-01) |