Effective Date of Rule: January 31, 2013, 6:00 p.m.

     Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to allow nontreaty commercial fishing opportunities in the Columbia River while protecting fish listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule making implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes, federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon, and Washington fish and wildlife commission policy guidance for Columbia River fisheries.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-33-01000V; and amending WAC 220-33-010.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.130, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

     Other Authority: United States v. Oregon, Civil No. 68-513-KI (D. Or.), Order Adopting 2008-2017 United States v. Oregon Management Agreement (Aug. 12, 2008) (Doc. No. 2546); Northwest Gillnetters Ass'n v. Sandison, 95 Wn.2d 638, 628 P.2d 800 (1981); Washington fish and wildlife commission policies concerning Columbia River fisheries; 40 Stat. 515 (Columbia River compact).

     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: Sets the 2013 winter season sturgeon fishery. Based on the 2013 white sturgeon abundance estimates and 2013 commission guidance, a total of 10,105 white sturgeon are available for sport and commercial harvest in 2013. Out of this, a total of twenty percent (2,021) are available for commercial harvest in 2013. The commercial industry suballocates the allowable commercial harvest into seasons throughout the year. This fishery is based on a catch guideline of two hundred eighty fish for the winter/spring season, and will provide economic benefit and market stability. Regulation is consistent with compact action of January 30, 2013. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent rules.

     Washington and Oregon jointly regulate Columbia River fisheries under the congressionally ratified Columbia River compact. Four Indian tribes have treaty fishing rights in the Columbia River. The treaties preempt state regulations that fail to allow the tribes an opportunity to take a fair share of the available fish, and the states must manage other fisheries accordingly. Sohappy v. Smith, 302 F. Supp. 899 (D. Or. 1969). A federal court order sets the current parameters for sharing between treaty Indians and others. United States v. Oregon, Civil No. 68-513-KI (D. Or.), Order Adopting 2008-2017 United States v. Oregon Management Agreement (Aug. 12, 2008) (Doc. No. 2546).

     Some Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead stocks are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal ESA. On May 5, 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a biological opinion under 16 U.S.C. § 1536 that allows for some incidental take of these species in treaty and nontreaty Columbia River fisheries governed by the 2008-2017 U.S. v. Oregon management agreement. The Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife commissions have developed policies to guide the implementation of such biological opinions in the states' regulation of nontreaty fisheries.

     Columbia River nontreaty fisheries are monitored very closely to ensure compliance with federal court orders, the ESA, and commission guidelines. Because conditions change rapidly, the fisheries are managed almost exclusively by emergency rule. Representatives from the Washington (WDFW) and Oregon (ODFW) departments of fish and wildlife convene public hearings and take public testimony when considering proposals for new emergency rules. WDFW and ODFW then adopt regulations reflecting agreements reached.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at 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: January 31, 2013.

Philip Anderson

Director

     1) AREA: SMCRA 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E (Zones 1-5)

     2) SEASON: 6 PM January 31 - 6 PM February 1, 2013;

     6 PM February 4 - 6 PM February 5, 2013;

     6 PM February 6 - 6 PM February 7, 2013.

     3) GEAR: Drift gillnet only. 9-inch minimum mesh. Nets fished any time between official sunset and official sunrise must have lighted buoys on both ends of the net. If the net is attached to the boat, then one lighted buoy on the end of the net opposite the boat is required.

     4) ALLOWABLE SALES: White Sturgeon and adipose fin-clipped salmon. A maximum of ten white sturgeon may be possessed or sold by each participating vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that the fishery is open. Green sturgeon retention prohibited. Sturgeon sales are limited to sturgeon 43-54 inches in fork length (as measured from nose to the fork in the tail).

     5) QUICK REPORT: 24-hour quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, pursuant to WAC 220-69-240. When quick reporting is required, Columbia River reports must be submitted within 24 hours of the closure of each fishing period.

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     The following section of the Washington Administrative code is repealed effective 6:01 p.m. February 7, 2013:

WAC 220-33-01000V

Columbia River season below Bonneville.