EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: October 20, 2008, 6:00 a.m.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to provide for treaty Indian fishing opportunity in the Columbia River while protecting salmon listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This rule making implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes and federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-32-05100G; and amending WAC 220-32-051.
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); Puget Sound Gillnetters Ass'n v. Moos, 92 Wn.2d 939, 603 P.2d 819 (1979); State v. James, 72 Wn.2d 746, 435 P.2d 521 (1967); 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; and that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.
Reasons for this Finding: Sets the ninth week of treaty Indian commercial gill net fishing and continues sales of fish caught in tributary fisheries by enrolled Yakama Nation tribal members and platform and hook and line fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River. Tribal members have expressed an interest in continuing the mainstem gill net fishery. Catch and effort is waning as salmon abundance and market quality continues to decline. Impact limits to ESA listed steelhead and upriver bright chinook remain available for treaty Indian fisheries. Harvest is expected to remain within the allocation and guidelines of the 2008-2017 management agreement. Rule is consistent with action of the Columbia River compact on October 16, 2008. Conforms state rules with tribal rules. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent regulations.
New regulations for 2008 include fisheries that are described in the MOA between Washington state and Yakama Nation. Yakama Nation tribal members will be allowed to fish for subsistence purposes within a specific area of the Washington shoreline below Bonneville Dam when open for enrolled Yakama Nation members under lawfully enacted Yakama Nation tribal subsistence fisheries. Sales will be allowed when the open fishery is concurrent with either commercial gillnet openings or platform gear in Zone 6 (SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H). Sales of fish caught in this fishery are consistent with mainstem Zone 6 (SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H) allowable sales, with the exception of sturgeon (which may not be sold or kept for subsistence purposes).
The Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce Indian tribes have treaty fishing rights in the Columbia River and inherent sovereign authority to regulate their fisheries. Washington and Oregon also have some authority to regulate fishing by treaty Indians in the Columbia River, authority that the states exercise jointly under the congressionally ratified Columbia River compact. Sohappy v. Smith, 302 F. Supp. 899 (D. Or. 1969). The tribes and the states adopt parallel regulations for treaty Indian fisheries under the supervision of the federal courts. Some salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Columbia River fisheries are monitored very closely to ensure consistency with court orders and Endangered Species Act guidelines. Because conditions change rapidly, the fisheries are managed almost exclusively by emergency rule. As required by court order, the Washington (WDFW) and Oregon (ODFW) departments of fish and wildlife convene public hearings and invite tribal participation when considering proposals for new emergency rules affecting treaty fishing rights. Sohappy, 302 F. Supp. at 912. WDFW and ODFW then adopt regulations reflecting agreements reached. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent rules.
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: October 17, 2008.
Phil Anderson
for Jeff Koenings
Director
1. Mainstem Columbia River
a) SEASON: 6:00 a.m. October 20, to 6:00 p.m. October 23, 2008.
b) AREA: Zone 6 (SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H).
c) GEAR: No minimum mesh-size restriction on gillnets.
2. Mainstem Columbia River
a) SEASON: Immediately until further notice.
b) AREA: Zone 6 (SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H).
c) GEAR: Hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook-and-line.
3. Columbia River Tributaries above Bonneville Dam
a) SEASON: Immediately until further notice, and only during those days and hours when the tributaries listed below are open under lawfully enacted Yakama Nation tribal subsistence fishery regulations for enrolled Yakama Nation members, and have either commercial gillnet openings or allow platform gear in Zone 6 (SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H).
b) AREA: Drano Lake, White Salmon, and Klickitat rivers.
c) GEAR: Hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook-and-line. Only gill nets may be used in Drano Lake (no mesh restriction, 150-foot length restriction).
4. Mainstem Columbia River below Bonneville Dam
a) SEASON: Immediately until further notice and only under the conditions in the Memo of Agreement (MOA) titled "2007 Memorandum of Agreement Between the Yakama Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Regarding Tribal Fishing Below Bonneville Dam." and only for enrolled Yakama Nation members, and have either commercial gillnet openings or allow platform gear in Zone 6 (SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H).
b) AREA: (SMCRA) 1E On the Washington shoreline from 600 feet below the fish ladder at the Bonneville Dam North shore powerhouse, downstream to Beacon Rock (bank fishing only).
c) GEAR: Hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook-and-line, consistent with Yakama Nation regulations.
5. SANCTUARIES: Standard river mouth and dam sanctuaries, except the Spring Creek Hatchery sanctuary not in effect.
6. ALLOWABLE SALES: Chinook, coho, sockeye, steelhead, walleye, shad, and carp. Sturgeon may not be sold. Sturgeon between 42 inches and 60 inches in length may be retained in the Bonneville Pool (SMCRA 1F) for subsistence purposes only. Sturgeon between 4 feet and 5 feet in length may be retained in The Dalles and John Day pools (SMCRA 1G, 1H) for subsistence purposes only. Sturgeon below Bonneville Dam may NOT be retained for subsistence purposes and may NOT be sold.
7. ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS: 24-hour quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, pursuant to WAC 220-69-240.
8. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-32-058, the closed area at the mouth of:
a) Hood River are those waters along the Oregon side of the Columbia River, and they extend to mid-stream at right angles to the thread of the Columbia River between markers located approximately 0.85 miles downriver from the west bank at the end of the break wall at the west end of the port of Hood River, and 1/2-mile upriver from the east bank.
b) Herman Creek are those waters upstream from a line between deadline markers near the mouth. One marker is located on the east bank piling, and the other is located on the west bank to the north of the boat ramp.
c) Deschutes River are those waters of the Columbia River extending to midstream at right angles to the thread of the Columbia River between points 1/2-mile upstream from the eastern shoreline to one mile downstream from the western shoreline.
d) Umatilla River are those waters of the Columbia River extending to midstream at right angles to the thread of the Columbia River between points 1/2-mile upstream from the eastern shoreline to one mile downstream from the western shoreline.
e) Big White Salmon River are those waters of the Columbia River extending to midstream at right angles to the thread of the Columbia River between a marker located 1/2-mile downstream from the west bank, upstream to Light "35."
f) Wind River are those waters of the Columbia River extending to midstream at right angles to the thread of the Columbia River between markers located 1-1/4 miles downstream from the west bank and 1/2-mile upstream from the east bank.
g) Klickitat River are those waters of the Columbia River extending to midstream at right angles to the thread of the Columbia River between the downstream margin of Lyle Landing, downstream to a marker located near the railroad tunnel approximately 1/8-miles downstream from the west bank.
h) Little White Salmon River are those waters of the Columbia River extending to midstream at right angles to the thread of the Columbia River between Light "27," upstream to a marker located approximately 1/2-mile upstream from the eastern shoreline.
9. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-22-010, during the open periods described above:
a) Area 1F (Bonneville Pool) includes those waters of the Columbia River upstream from the Bridge of the Gods, and downstream from the west end of the 3 Mile Rapids located approximately 1.8 miles below the Dalles Dam.
b) Area 1G (The Dalles Pool) includes those waters of the Columbia River upstream from a line drawn between a deadline marker on the Oregon shore located approximately 3/4 miles above The Dalles Dam fishway exit, thence at a right angle to the thread of the river to a point in mid-river, then downstream to Light "1" on the Washington shore, and downstream from Preacher's Eddy Light below John Day Dam.
c) Area 1H (John Day Pool) includes those waters of the Columbia River upstream from a fishing boundary marker approximately 1/2-mile above the John Day River, Oregon, extending at a right angle across the thread of the river to a point in mid-river, then downstream to a fishing boundary marker on the Washington shore approximately opposite the mouth of the John Day River, and downstream from a line at a right angle across the thread of the river one mile downstream from McNary Dam.
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Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 6:00 a.m. October 20, 2008:
| WAC 220-32-05100G | Columbia River salmon seasons above Bonneville Dam. (08-257) |