EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: May 21, 2010, 6:00 p.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: 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.
Reasons for this Finding: Closes the platform and hook and line fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River above Bonneville Dam because the catch guideline has been achieved for upriver spring chinook. Continues to allow the sale of fish caught in Yakama Nation tributary fisheries by Yakama Nation members. Fisheries are consistent with the 2008-2017 management agreement. Impact limits to ESA-listed chinook are available for treaty Indian fisheries. Rule is consistent with action of the Columbia River compact on May 19, 2010. Conforms state rules with tribal rules.
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 adopt 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 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, 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: May 20, 2010.
Lori Preuss
for Philip Anderson
Director
1. Mainstem Columbia River above Bonneville Dam
a) SEASON: The platform and hook and line fisheries will close to fishing effective 6:00 PM Friday May 21, 2010 until 6:00 AM June 16, 2010.
b) AREA: SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H (Zone 6)
c) GEAR: Hoop nets, dip nets, and rod and reel with hook-and-line.
2. 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.
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. Gill nets may only be used in Drano Lake (no mesh restriction, 150-foot length restriction).
3. ALLOWABLE SALES: Chinook, coho, sockeye, steelhead, walleye, shad, carp, yellow perch, catfish and bass. 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.
4. ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS: 24-hour quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, pursuant to WAC 220-69-240.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative
Code is repealed effective 6:00 p.m. May 21, 2010:
| WAC 220-32-05100G | Columbia River above Bonneville (10-124) |