EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-33-01000J; and amending WAC 220-33-010.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.
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 late fall salmon fishery consistent with the allocation agreement. Provides opportunity for directed chinook and coho target seasons - harvestable numbers of salmon are available. Sturgeon landing limits are consistent with the joint state sturgeon management agreement and provide for sturgeon harvest opportunity throughout the late fall salmon fishery. Modifies the open times in the Blind Slough fishery to avoid sport fishery conflicts. Provides modification to the gear rules in select areas to allow additional weights or anchors on the lead line, consistent with the goal of 100% harvest. The select areas are part of an on-going BPA funded study to design fisheries in areas outside of the mainstem Columbia River. Several stocks of salmon have been released from net pens in these select areas to provide for fisheries. All salmon returning to these net pens are harvestable. All fisheries are consistent with the 2004 fall management agreement, the preseason non-Indian allocation agreement, and consistent with actions of the Columbia River compact on September 16, 2004, and July 29, 2004. Impacts to ESA-listed stocks are included in the biological assessment of fall fisheries. The biological opinion covering these fisheries has been signed. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent regulations.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 17, 2004.
J. P. Koenings
Director
1) OPEN AREA: SMCRA 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E
a) SEASON: 8:00 p.m. September 19 to 6:00 a.m. September 20, 2004
b) GEAR: No minimum mesh restriction downstream of the Longview Bridge and 8-inch minimum mesh restriction upstream of the Longview Bridge. 9 3/4 inch maximum mesh restriction in all areas.
c) ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five sturgeon may be processed or sold by each vessel participating each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes mainstem and Select Area fisheries.
d) SANCTUARIES: Elokomin-A, Abernathy, Cowlitz, Kalama-A, Lewis-A, Sandy, Washougal.
e) OTHER: Quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240.
2) OPEN AREA: SMCRA 1A, 1B, and 1C upstream to the Longview Bridge
a) SEASON: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. September 21, 2004
6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. September 23, 2004
b) GEAR: 6-inch maximum mesh size, unslackened floater gill nets
c) ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five sturgeon may be processed or sold by each vessel participating each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes mainstem and Select Area fisheries.
d) SANCTUARIES: Elokomin-A, Abernathy.
e) OTHER: Quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240.
3) OPEN AREA: SMCRA 1C upstream of the Longview Bridge, 1D, 1E
a) SEASON: 8:00 p.m. September 21 to 1:00 a.m. September 22, 2004
8:00 p.m. September 23 to 1:00 a.m. September 24, 2004
b) GEAR: 8-inch minimum mesh restriction and 9 3/4 inch maximum mesh restriction
c) ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five sturgeon may be processed or sold by each vessel participating each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes mainstem and Select Area fisheries.
d) SANCTUARIES: Cowlitz, Kalama-A, Lewis-A, Sandy, Washougal.
e) OTHER: Quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240.
4) OPEN AREA: Blind Slough/Knappa Slough Select Area
Blind Slough fishing area includes all waters from markers at the mouth of Gnat Creek located approximately 0.5 mile upstream of the county road bridge downstream to markers at the mouth of Blind Slough. Concurrent waters extend downstream of the railroad bridge. Oregon State waters extend upstream of the railroad bridge.
Knappa Slough fishing area includes all waters bounded by a line from the northerly most marker at the mouth of Blind Slough westerly to a marker on Karlson Island downstream to boundary lines defined by markers on the western end of Minaker Island to markers on Karlson Island and the Oregon shore. An area closure of about a 100-foot radius at the mouth of Big Creek defined by markers. All waters are under concurrent jurisdiction.
a) SEASON: 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday nights from September 20 through September 24, 2004.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday nights from September 27 through October 29, 2004.
b) GEAR: 6-inch maximum mesh size. Maximum net length of 100 fathoms. No weight restriction on lead line. Additional weights and anchors may be attached directly to the lead line.
c) ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five sturgeon may be processed or sold by each vessel participating each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes mainstem and Select Area fisheries
d) OTHER: Quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240.
5) OPEN AREA: Tongue Point/South Channel Select Area
Tongue Point fishing area includes all waters bounded by a line from a yellow marker midway between the red light at Tongue Point and the downstream (northern most) pier (#8) to the flashing green light at the rock jetty on the northwesterly tip of Mott Island, a line from a marker at the south end of Mott Island easterly to a marker on the northwest bank on Lois Island, and a line from a marker on the southwest end of Lois Island due westerly to a marker on the opposite bank. All waters are under concurrent jurisdiction. South Channel area includes all waters bounded by a line from a marker on John Day Point through the green buoy "7" thence to a marker on the southwest end of Lois Island upstream to an upper boundary line from a marker on Settler Point northwesterly to flashing red marker "10" thence northwesterly to a marker on the sand bar defining the terminus of South Channel. All waters are under concurrent jurisdiction.
a) SEASON: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights from immediately through October 29, 2004. Open hours are 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily.
b) GEAR: In the Tongue Point area the mesh size is restricted to 6-inch maximum mesh. Net length maximum of 250 fathoms, and weight not to exceed two pounds on any one fathom on the lead line.
In the South Channel area the mesh size is restricted to 6-inch maximum mesh. Net length maximum of 100 fathoms, and no weight restriction on lead line. Additional weights and anchors may be attached directly to the lead line in South Channel.
c) ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five sturgeon may be processed or sold by each vessel participating each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes mainstem and Select Area fisheries.
d) MISCELLANEOUS: Participants in the Tongue Point fishery may have stored on board their boats, gill nets with lead line in excess of two pounds per fathom.
e) OTHER: Quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240.
6) OPEN AREA: Deep River Select Area
Deep River is open to fishing down river from the town of Deep River to the mouth (a line from navigation marker "16" southwest to a marker on the Washington shore). Concurrent waters extend downstream of the Highway 4 bridge. State waters extend upstream of the Highway 4 bridge.
a) SEASON: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights immediately through October 29, 2004. Open hours are 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily.
b) GEAR: Gillnet 6-inch maximum mesh. Net length maximum of 100 fathoms, and no weight restriction on the lead line. Additional weights and anchors may be attached directly to the lead line.
c) ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five sturgeon may be processed or sold by each vessel participating each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes mainstem and Select Area fisheries.
d) OTHER: Quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240.
7) OPEN AREA: Steamboat Slough Select Area Steamboat Slough is open to fishing in waters bounded by markers on Price Island and the Washington shore, at both upstream and downstream ends of Steamboat Slough. All open waters are under concurrent jurisdiction.
a) SEASON: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights from immediately through October 29, 2004. Open hours are 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily.
b) GEAR: Gillnet 6-inch maximum mesh. Net length maximum of 100 fathoms, and no weight restriction on the lead line. Additional weights and anchors may be attached directly to the lead line.
c) ALLOWABLE SALE: Salmon and sturgeon. A maximum of five sturgeon may be possessed or sold by each vessel participating each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five sturgeon possession and sales limit includes mainstem and Select Area fisheries.
d) MISCELLANEOUS: Transportation or possession of fish outside the fishing area is unlawful unless by licensed buyer, except fishers may transport their catch out of the fishing area with a permit issued by an authorized agency employee after examining the catch.
e) OTHER: Quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative
Code is repealed effective 8:00 p.m. September 19, 2004:
| WAC 220-33-01000J | Columbia River season below Bonneville. (04-230) |