(1) When the department determines, pursuant to ARM 12.5.507, that a fishery has the potential to be detrimentally impacted by environmental conditions, the commission authorizes the department to implement angling restrictions or fishing closures with the approval of the commissioner in whose district the angling restriction or fishing closure is proposed. If the commissioner is not available, the department may request approval from the commission chair or, in absence of the commission chair, any other commissioner.

(2) The department shall report to the commission, during its next regularly scheduled meeting, the implementation or lifting of any angling restriction or fishing closure implemented pursuant to this rule.

(3) Voluntary closures will not be implemented under this rule.