Commission approves director delegation to begin rulemaking on two‑pole petition for Snake River

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on Sept. 11 approved a motion delegating authority to the director to initiate rulemaking on a petition to allow two‑pole fishing on the Snake River.

Director Kelly Susewind told commissioners the petition was time sensitive relative to the North of Falcon calendar and that the department has sufficient data from Idaho to suggest two‑pole use can be undertaken without impacting ESA‑listed species or season length. "It would allow two‑pole fishing in that portion of the Snake River…We've done enough work, have enough data from Idaho to suggest that this can be done without impacting the ESA species," she said. The commission's vote authorized the director to commence rulemaking; staff said the public will have an opportunity to weigh in during the formal rule process.

Commissioners clarified that the delegation is to give the director authority to open the rulemaking process and that any permanent rule would be adopted only after required analyses and public comment. The committee earlier recommended the delegation after reviewing timing constraints tied to other fisheries processes.