Section 810.80  Emergency Protective Regulations

a)     Emergency regulations will be utilized to protect the sport fisheries resources of the State under the following criteria:

1)     When data analysis based upon biological surveys demonstrates that one or more fish species in a fishery is likely to suffer severe deleterious effects due to angling pressure without the regulation(s).

2)     The information upon which the regulation(s) is based was not available prior to the time frame required for normal rulemaking procedures.

3)     The emergency regulation(s) must have the approval of the Chief, Division of Fisheries.

b)     The regulation(s) will be posted by painted signs at all lake road entrances, boat launching ramps or other heavily used bank fishing areas at least 14 days prior to the onset of said regulation(s).  This will apply to State lakes as well as public lakes operating under the management agreement with the Division of Fisheries.

c)     A news release explaining the regulation(s) will be supplied by the Department of Natural Resources to local media prior to the effective date.

(Source:  Amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 4640, effective March 6, 1996)