EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: May 16, 2009, 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 (ESA). 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: 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: Allows the sale of fish caught by treaty Indians in the mainstem Columbia River using traditional ceremonial and subsistence gear (platform and hook and line fisheries). Also allows sale of fish caught in tributary fisheries and the area immediately below Bonneville Dam (see next paragraph) by enrolled Yakama Nation tribal members when the mainstem above Bonneville Dam is open for commercial sales. Impact limits to ESA listed 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 May 14, 2009. Conforms state rules with tribal rules. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent regulations.
New regulations for 2009 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 ESA. Columbia River fisheries are monitored very closely to ensure consistency with court orders and ESA 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 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, 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 0.
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: March 15, 2009.
Philip Anderson
Director
1. Mainstem Columbia River above Bonneville Dam
a) SEASON: 6:00 a.m. Saturday May 16, 2009 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.
2. Columbia River Tributaries above Bonneville Dam
a) SEASON: 6:00 a.m. Saturday May 16, 2009 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 and Wind 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).
3. Mainstem Columbia River below Bonneville Dam
a) SEASON: 6:00 a.m. Saturday May 16, 2009 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.
4. SANCTUARIES: Standard river mouth and dam sanctuaries applicable to these gear types, except the Spring Creek Hatchery sanctuary not in effect.
5. ALLOWABLE SALES: Chinook, coho, sockeye, steelhead, walleye, shad, and carp. Sturgeon may not be sold. Sturgeon between 43-54 inches in fork length in The Dalles and John Day pools (SMCRA 1G, 1H) may be retained for subsistence. Sturgeon between 38-54 inches in fork length in the Bonneville pool (SMCRA 1F) may also be retained for subsistence. Fish may NOT be sold on USACE Property below Bonneville Dam, but may be caught and transported off USACE Property for sale. Sturgeon below Bonneville Dam may NOT be retained and may NOT be sold.
6. ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS: 24-hour quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, pursuant to WAC 220-69-240.
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