WSR 07-11-167

EXPEDITED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed May 23, 2007, 11:41 a.m. ]

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 220-36-023 and 220-40-027, rules for commercial salmon fishing in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.

NOTICE

     THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Lori Preuss, Rules Coordinator, Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 , AND RECEIVED BY July 23, 2007.


     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: These rules set the salmon commercial fishing seasons for 2007 in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: These rules incorporate the recommendations of the North of Falcon subgroup of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council to take harvestable salmon while protecting species of fish listed as endangered.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.020 and 77.12.047.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.04.020 and 77.12.047.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Washington department of fish and wildlife, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Ron Warren, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 249-4628 ext. 204; Implementation: Lew Atkins, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 902-2651; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 902-2929.

May 23, 2007

Lori Preuss

Rules Coordinator

OTS-9751.2


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 05-167, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05)

WAC 220-36-023   Grays Harbor salmon -- Fall fishery.   August 16 through December 31 of each year, it is unlawful to fish for salmon in Grays Harbor for commercial purposes, except that:


Fishing periods


     (((1))) Gill net gear may be used to fish for salmon and sturgeon according to the chart below. All nonlegal sturgeon and nonlegal steelhead must be handled with care to minimize injury and must be released immediately:


Time Areas
((7:30 a.m. October 8 through 6:30 p.m. October 8, 2005)) 5:30 p.m. through 1:30 a.m. October 8, 2007;

9:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. October 15, 2007.

 2C
((9:30 a.m. October 13 through 5:30 p.m. October 13, 2005, and 10:30 a.m. October 14 through 6:30 p.m. October 14, 2005)) 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. October 11, 2007;

6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. October 12, 2007;

6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. October 13, 2007.

 That portion of Area 2A upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge at Aberdeen, to a line projected from the Lakeside Industries asphalt plant tower at a right angle to the thread of the stream to the opposite shore.

AND

That portion of Area 2D north and east of a line projected due south from the 28th street boat launch to Renney Island, then southeasterly to Range Marker G, then to the eastern boundary of Area 2D at the Highway 101 Bridge.

     (((a))) (1) Drift gill net gear only. It is unlawful to use set net gear.

     (((b) 6)) (2) Six-inch maximum mesh restriction, no more than 55 meshes deep.

     (((c))) (3) Soak time shall not exceed ((45 minutes)) one hour. Soak time, defined as the time elapsed from when the first of the gill net web is deployed into the water until the gill net web is fully retrieved from the water, must not exceed ((45 minutes)) one hour.

     (((d) Each boat will be required to have two operable recovery boxes or one box with two chambers, on board. Each box shall be operating during any time that the net is being retrieved or picked. The flow in the recover box will be a minimum of 16 gallons per minute in each chamber of the box, not to exceed 20 gallons per minute. Each chamber of the recovery box must meet the following dimensions as measured from within the box; the inside length measurement must be at or within 39 1/2 inches to 48 inches, the inside width measurements must be at or within 8 to 10 inches, and the inside height measurement must be at or within 14 to 16 inches. Each chamber of the recover box must include a water inlet hole between 3/4 inch and 1 inch in diameter, centered horizontally across the door or wall of chamber and 1 3/4 inches from the floor of the chamber. Each chamber of the recovery box must include a water outlet hole opposite the inflow that is at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The center of the outlet hole must be located a minimum of 12 inches above the floor of the box or chamber. The fisher must demonstrate to department employees, fish and wildlife enforcement officers, or other peace officers, upon request, that the pumping system is delivering the proper volume of fresh river/bay water into each chamber.

     (e))) (4) All ((chinook,)) nonlegal sturgeon((,)) and nonlegal steelhead must be handled with care to minimize injury to the fish and must be released immediately to the river/bay or to an operating recovery box.

     (((f) Any fish that is bleeding or lethargic must be placed in the recovery box prior to being released to the river/bay.

     (g) All fish placed in recovery boxes must be released to the river/bay prior to landing or docking.

     (h))) (5) Quick reporting is required for wholesale dealers and fishers retailing their catch under a "direct retail endorsement." According to WAC 220-69-240(12), reports must be made by 10:00 a.m. the day following landing or within 3 hours of the close of that particular fishery, whichever happens first.

     (((i))) (6) Fishers must take department observers if requested by department staff, when participating in these openings((, and provide notice of intent to participate by contact to the quick reporting phone, fax or e-mail, WAC 220-69-240, prior to 10:00 a.m. the day preceding each opening)).

     (((2) Gill net gear may be used to fish for salmon and sturgeon:

Time Areas
7:30 a.m. October 15 through 6:30 p.m. October 15, 2005 Area 2B
7:30 a.m. October 16 through 6:30 p.m. October 16, 2005
7:30 a.m. October 28 through 6:30 p.m. October 28, 2005, and
7:30 a.m. October 29 through 6:30 p.m. October 29, 2005))

     (a) Drift gill gear only. Unlawful to use set net gear.

     (b) 6 1/2-inch maximum mesh restriction.

     (c) Quick reporting required for wholesale dealers and fishers retailing their catch under a "direct retail endorsement." WAC 220-69-240.

     (d) Fishers must take department observers if requested by department staff when participating in these fisheries. Notice of intent to participate not required.)) (7) The southern population of green sturgeon has been listed by NOAA Fisheries as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, effective July 6, 2006. Most of the green sturgeon taken in Washington fisheries are from the southern population. Therefore, the retention of green sturgeon is prohibited, to protect this federally listed stock.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 05-17-006 (Order 05-167), § 220-36-023, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05; 04-16-013 (Order 04-183), § 220-36-023, filed 7/22/04, effective 8/22/04; 03-18-004 (Order 03-208), § 220-36-023, filed 8/20/03, effective 9/20/03; 01-13-055 (Order 01-104), § 220-36-023, filed 6/15/01, effective 7/16/01; 00-23-065 (Order 00-240), § 220-36-023, filed 11/15/00, effective 12/16/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 99-24-104 (Order 99-206), § 220-36-023, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080 and 77.12.040. 98-15-081 (Order 98-122), § 220-36-023, filed 7/15/98, effective 8/15/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 97-15-148 (Order 97-123), § 220-36-023, filed 7/23/97, effective 8/23/97; 96-13-035 (Order 96-77), § 220-36-023, filed 6/11/96, effective 7/12/96; 95-13-065 (Order 95-76), § 220-36-023, filed 6/19/95, effective 7/20/95; 94-13-014 (Order 94-46), § 220-36-023, filed 6/3/94, effective 7/4/94; 93-14-042 (Order 93-54), § 220-36-023, filed 6/29/93, effective 7/30/93; 90-18-023 (Order 90-77), § 220-36-023, filed 8/24/90, effective 9/24/90; 89-16-056 (Order 89-71), § 220-36-023, filed 7/28/89, effective 8/28/89.]

OTS-9752.2


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 05-167, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05)

WAC 220-40-027   Salmon -- Willapa Bay fall fishery.   August 16 through December 31 of each year, it is unlawful to fish for salmon in Willapa Bay for commercial purposes or to possess salmon taken from those waters for commercial purposes, except that:


Fishing periods


     (1) Gill net gear may be used to fish for salmon and sturgeon as shown below. All nonlegal sturgeon and nonlegal steelhead must be handled with care to minimize injury to the fish and must be released immediately to the river/bay:


Time Area
6:00 p.m. September ((18)) 16 through 6:00 p.m. September ((23, 2005)) 21, 2007. Areas 2G east of a line ((projected)) drawn true south from the most waterward exposed end of the rock jetty located near Washaway Beach((,)); 2H west of Willapa Channel Marker 40((,)); 2M((,)); and 2J north of a true east-west line drawn through the North Entrance Marker to the Nahcotta Boat Basin (RF #2).
6:00 p.m. September ((21)) 19 through 6:00 p.m. September ((22)) 20, 2007; and 6:00 p.m. September ((28)) 27 through 6:00 p.m. September ((29, 2005)) 28, 2007. Area 2K
6:00 p.m. September ((24)) 23 through 6:00 p.m. ((October 3, 2005)) September 28, 2007. Area 2G east of a line drawn true south from the most waterward exposed end of the rock jetty located near Washaway Beach((,)); Area 2H((,)); Area 2J north of a true east-west line drawn through the North Entrance Marker to the Nahcotta Boat Basin (RF #2)((,)); and Area 2M.
((6:00 p.m. October 9 through 6:00 p.m. October 11, 2005)) 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. October 1, 2007; 6:00 a.m. though 6:00 p.m. October 2, 2007; 6:00 a.m. though 6:00 p.m. October 3, 2007; 6:00 a.m. though 6:00 p.m. October 4, 2007; 6:00 a.m. though 6:00 p.m. October 5, 2007; 6:00 a.m. though 6:00 p.m. October 6, 2007; and 6:00 a.m. though 6:00 p.m. October 7, 2007. Areas 2G east of a line projected true south from the most waterward exposed end of the rock jetty located near Washaway Beach((,)); 2H((,)); 2M((,)); and 2J north of a true east-west line drawn through the North Entrance Marker to the Nahcotta Boat Basin (RF #2).
((6:00 p.m. October 17 through 6:00 p.m. October 20, and 6:00 p.m. October 24 through 6:00 p.m. October 27, 2005)) 7:00 a.m. though 7:00 p.m. October 8, 2007; 7:00 a.m. though 7:00 p.m. October 9, 2007; 7:00 a.m. though 7:00 p.m. October 10, 2007; and 7:00 a.m. though 7:00 p.m. October 11, 2007. Areas 2G west of a line drawn true north-south through Willapa Channel Marker 10 and east of a line projected true south from the most waterward exposed end of the rock jetty located near Washaway Beach, but excluding the area southerly and easterly of a line from Island Sands Light to Ramsey Point((,)); 2M((,)); and 2J north of a true east-west line drawn through the North Entrance Marker to the Nahcotta Boat Basin (RF #2).
((Noon, November 6 through noon November 30, 2005)) 6:00 p.m. November 12, 2007, through 6:00 p.m. November 16, 2007. Area 2G east of a line drawn true south from the most waterward exposed end of the rock jetty located near Washaway Beach; Area 2H west of Willapa Channel Marker 40; Area 2J north of a true east-west line drawn through the North Entrance Marker to the Nahcotta Boat Basin (RF #2); and Area 2M.
Noon, November 5, 2007, through noon, November 30, 2007. Areas 2G, 2H, 2J and 2M.

     (2) The Tokeland Boat basin is closed to commercial fishing during the openings in Salmon Management and Catch Record Area (SMCRA) 2G, described in this section. The Tokeland Boat basin means ((that)) the portion of SMCRA 2G bounded on the south by the shoreline of the boat basin, on the west by the seawall, and on the north and east by a line from the Tokeland Channel Marker "3" (flashing green, 4-seconds), to Tokeland Channel Marker "4," to the tip of the seawall.


Gear


     (3) Gill net gear restrictions - All areas:

     (a) Drift gill net gear only. It is unlawful to use set net gear.

     (b) September 1 through October ((3, 2005 - 6)) 7, 2007: Six-inch maximum mesh, no more than 55 meshes deep. Net must hang straight from top to bottom. Strings may only be used to secure break-away panels.

     (c) October ((4)) 8 through October 31, ((2005 - 6 1/2)) 2007: Six and one-half inch maximum mesh.

     (d) November 1 through November 30, ((2005 - 9)) 2007: Nine-inch minimum mesh; except that from 6:00 p.m. November 12 through 6:00 p.m. November 16, 2007 (coho directed), use either 6-inch maximum mesh or 9-inch maximum mesh (choose only one), no more than 55 meshes deep. Net must hang straight from top to bottom. Strings may only be used to secure breakaway panels.


Other


     (4) Quick reporting is required for wholesale dealers and fishers retailing their catch under a "direct retail endorsement." According to WAC 220-69-240(12), reports must be made by 10:00 a.m. the day following landing or within 3 hours of the close of that particular fishery, whichever happens first.

     (5) The southern population of green sturgeon has been listed by NOAA Fisheries as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, effective July 6, 2006. Most of the green sturgeon taken in Washington fisheries are from the southern population. Therefore, the retention of green sturgeon is prohibited to protect this federally listed stock.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 05-17-006 (Order 05-167), § 220-40-027, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05; 04-16-013 (Order 04-183), § 220-40-027, filed 7/22/04, effective 8/22/04; 03-18-004 (Order 03-208), § 220-40-027, filed 8/20/03, effective 9/20/03; 02-16-021 (Order 02-173), § 220-40-027, filed 7/26/02, effective 8/26/02; 01-13-055 (Order 01-104), § 220-40-027, filed 6/15/01, effective 7/16/01; 00-23-065 (Order 00-240), § 220-40-027, filed 11/15/00, effective 12/16/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 99-24-104 (Order 99-206), § 220-40-027, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080 and 77.12.040. 98-15-081 (Order 98-122), § 220-40-027, filed 7/15/98, effective 8/15/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 97-15-148 (Order 97-123), § 220-40-027, filed 7/23/97, effective 8/23/97; 96-13-035 (Order 96-77), § 220-40-027, 6/11/96, effective 7/12/96; 95-13-065 (Order 95-76), § 220-40-027, filed 6/19/95, effective 7/20/95; 94-16-017 (Order 94-61), § 220-40-027, filed 7/21/94, effective 8/21/94; 93-14-042 (Order 93-54), § 220-40-027, filed 6/29/93, effective 7/30/93; 90-18-023 (Order 90-77), § 220-40-027, filed 8/24/90, effective 9/24/90; 89-16-056 (Order 89-71), § 220-40-027, filed 7/28/89, effective 8/28/89.]

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