Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Not species specific
Rule to Change: Yakima River (Yakima Co.) from 3,500' below Roza Dam to Roza Dam; Closed Waters from Roza Dam downstream 400'.
New Rule Proposal: Yakima River (Yakima Co.) from 3,500' below Roza Dam to Roza Dam; Closed Waters from Roza Dam downstream 400'. Unlawful to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
Why the change is needed: Fishing from boats equipped with internal combustion motors (ICM) is unlawful in the river section immediately downstream. Due to an oversight, this short section was omitted from the ICM ban. Management's intent is for the ICM ban to apply up to Roza Dam. During the spring chinook salmon season, we currently prohibit fishing from boats w/ ICMs in this section by e-reg. This change makes the ban permanent and includes the three-month winter whitefish season (Dec.-Feb.).
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Eric Anderson, Dist. 8 Fish Biologist
Jeff Tayer, Regional Director
Capt. Rich Mann, WDFW Enforcement - R3
Describe their support and/or concerns:
They support this proposal.
Submitted by: EASTERBROOKS, JOHN A — ,
Date submitted: 06/07/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW392019
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Prohibit the use of internal combustion motors on two reaches of the Yakima River
Rules Category Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Recreational
County or Location Information Yakima County
Short Description Prohibit the use of internal combustion motors on 2 reaches of the Yakima River.
Reach 1 - from the Interstate 82 Bridge at Selah Gap to 3,500' below Roza Dam.
Reach 2-from 3,500' below Roza Dam to Roza Dam.
Explanation Reach 1-The Yakima River below the Naches River confluence is a relatively large river and fishermen enjoyed fishing for trout and other gamefish from boats with internal combustion motors(ICM)until DFW adopted selective gear rules (SGR)in this reach (May 1,2009). The SGR at that time included the ban on fishing from boats equipped with an ICM unless explicitly allowed by special rule. No special rule allowing ICMs was adopted for this river section. In 2010, the ICM ban was de-coupled from the SGR, but the ICM ban continues to apply in this reach except during the spring chinook fishery. Use of boats with ICMs is allowed by e-reg during the salmon fishery downstream of the I-82 Bridge at Selah Gap (just upstream of the Naches R. confluence). This rule change makes the use of ICM boats permanent during the gamefish season. Fishing from ICM-equipped boats upstream of the I-82 Bridge will remain unlawful because the river is much smaller and WDFW has orderly fishery and safety concerns.
Reach 2-Fishing from boats equipped with internal combustion motors (ICM) is unlawful in the river section immediately downstream. Due to an oversight, this short section was omitted from the ICM ban. Management's intent is for the ICM ban to apply up to Roza Dam. During the spring chinook salmon season, we currently prohibit fishing from boats w/ ICMs in this section by e-reg. This change makes the ban permanent and includes the three-month winter whitefish season (Dec.-Feb.).
